Regional News of Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Source: GNA

DCE expresses worry about lack of communal spirit among his people

Asesewa, Sept 8, GNA - Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, the Manya Krobo District Chief Executive (DCE), on Tuesday expressed worry about low communal spirit among his people, which he said, was affecting early completion of development projects. He said until some drastic action was taken, almost all the projects currently under construction would come to a standstill, or the assembly would be compelled to spend above what it had budgeted. Addressing the second ordinary meeting of the first session of the assembly at Asesewa, Mr Angmor said it would be very difficult for the assembly to undertake the construction of more than one six-unit classroom block with its common fund, considering its degree of indebtedness.

He said the surest way to have more development projects was through projects and programmes funded by donor partners. "As we all know, the successful and timely execution of such projects is to a greater extent, depended on the physical contribution of beneficiary communities to the project". The DCE said with the lackadaisical attitude of the people towards communal labour, the possibility of the assembly losing the trust and confidence of its donor friends and therefore losing those projects was very high.

He narrated a situation where on his visit to Samlesi to acquaint himself with the progress of work on a clinic, it was confirmed that the community was prepared to weed the frontage of the project only for a fee, adding that, a barrel which was used to fetch water was also hired to the workers by the community.

Mr Angmor announced that the assembly had taken delivery of three motor bikes and a set of computer and accessories from the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to support the monitoring and supervision of water and sanitation projects and activities in the district. A Water and Sanitation Team (WATSAN) had also been formed to oversee projects and activities relating to water and sanitation. He was not happy about a lot of unauthorized development going on in the district, especially at Asesewa, the district capital, which he said was distorting the beauty of the towns. The DCE urged the assembly members to be vigilant to help curb those practices, particularly the proliferation of kiosks and temporary structures in the area. He also entreated the assembly members to educate their people to consult the Town and Country Planning Department, to enable them go through the proper developmental procedures before putting up any structure. On roads, Mr Angmor said the upgrading of the 1.4 kilometre Asesewa Town Roads, consisting of reshaping and tarring had commenced. He announced that the assembly had procured a grader at a cost of GHC 229,310.00 for the rehabilitation of roads in the district. 08 Sept 09