Revised MASLOC ensures transparency devoid of politics

Hohoe, Nov. 11, GNA - The revised Micro-credit and Small Loans Schem= e (MASLOC) will ensure transparency and value for money devoid of partisan consideration, Mr Joseph .Z. Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister on Thursd= ay said. He said the Scheme left uncollected loans of about GH¢180,000 in t= he Volta Region under the previous administration and pledged that defaulter= s would be "hauled" before the courts soon.

Mr Amenowode said this at the dissolution of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly to pave way for the December 2010 district level election. He said the procedures under the Scheme were fraught with avoidable irregularities and government could not allow such gross indiscipline and=

malfeasance to continue. Mr Amenowode, also the Member of Parliament for Hohoe South, caution= ed others benefiting from the loans that the Scheme was a revolving one and as such it would be able to grant the facility to new recipients upon repayment. "This is not free party money for distribution to party cohorts but targeted at cushioning small businesses to gain financial autonomy for socio-economic development, job and wealth creation," he said. Dwelling on security with reference to the recent disturbance at the=

Aflao border, Mr Amenowode expressed indignation, saying an unprofessiona= l conduct by a security personnel, could lead to widespread destruction of state property. He called on citizens along the country's eastern frontier with Togo= to engage security personnel mounting the borders in healthy relationships. The Regional Minister reminded citizens to always use state institutions and the right procedures to resolve conflicts and problems instead resorting to violence and spewing of vengeance. Mr Amenowode expressed disquiet about a similar notoriety and violen= t attacks on security men at Wli and Leklebi border posts. On cocoa and related smuggling menace, he was optimistic that the recent upward price hikes would stem the smuggling nuisance. Mr Amenowode said government was considering making traditional authorities and other stakeholders in cocoa growing areas to take centre-stage in efforts to curb the menace of smuggling. He appealed to the smugglers to stop the menace. 11 Nov. 10