Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - Cabinet has approved a policy for the use of local building materials in the construction industry to help in reducing the cost of construction and to ensure the use of local materials including, pozzolana.

A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday and signed by the Minister of Information, John Tia Akologu, said the implementation of the policy would start with the use of available local materials for the construction of public buildings such as schools, government offices and public hospitals. "This is a major policy initiative of the President Mills' Administration and the details would be announced in the 2011 National Budget," Mr Akologu added.

Mr Akologu said Cabinet at its last sitting also discussed the resumption of operations of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO). He said the Minister of Energy has, therefore, been directed to "develop a roadmap for the implementation of the integrated aluminium industry, take the necessary steps to obtain the full documentation on the ownership of the company and liaise with the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to address the fiscal issues inherent in the proposal."