Development Projects In Northern Volta On Course - Minister

Kete-Krachi (V/R), July 14, -

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Kofi Agbenaza, Volta Regional Minister, has assured the chiefs and people of Kete-Krachi and Nkwanta that all development projects in the area are on course. He said contracts had been awarded for the extension of electricity from the national grid through Bimbila to Kete-Krachi and hoped this will step up the pumping of water from boreholes in the area which at the moment experience very low pumping. Col Agbenaza said this when he interacted with the chiefs and elders of Kete-Krachi on the payment of land tolls by settler farmers and development projects in the area. He said funds are now available for the construction of the Kpando-Nkonya-Dambai roads and this will soon be put before Parliament for approval while work had started on the Jasikan-Kadjebi-Breniase road. Work on Breniase to Damanko road will take off soon. When completed the road will not only shorten the journey from the northern region to the south, but will also open the place up for trading activities. He, however, called for unity, peace and dedication on the part of the people to assist government to achieve its aims. On the payment of royalties on land, he reminded the people that cabinet had suspended payment of tolls on land as a result of the northern conflict and asked the people to exercise restraint until government reviews it. Nana Asetena Mensah, the 'Baamuhene' of krachi who spoke for the chiefs, pleaded with the government to expedite work on the review of the decision on the suspension of the tolls as that is the only source of revenue for traiditional councils. He hoped that the review will be acceptable to all parties.