Parliament approves ?12m for Benya lagoon

Elmina, Dec.29, GNA- Parliament has approved an amount of 12,138,185 Euros for the dredging and restoration of the Benya lagoon at Elmina in January next year, to pave the way for the construction of a fishing harbour in the town.

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Public Sector Reform and Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) who announced this at the second ordinary meeting of the assembly at Elmina, said the money, is being provided by the Belgian government.

On other projects, Dr. Nduom said his office had allocated 200 million cedis to the Eguafo traditional area for the construction of a town hall, while another 100 million cedis from the GETFund has been allocated for the completion of a JSS school project for the Zongo community in Elmina.

Another 130 million cedis, has been allocated from his share of the common fund to six communities at Elmina, Komenda and Kissi for various projects including the rehabilitation of public toilets and construction of culverts. He said, he had also purchased a tractor at the cost of 150 million cedis to assist farmers in the district, while land has also been acquired for the construction of a library at Elmina. He announced that by 2008, libraries would be provided in the other three traditional areas, and urged residents in the district to cooperate and offer him their moral support.

Touching on his obligations as an MP, Dr Nduom said that he would continue to carry out his duties "without partisan considerations" and stressed that he was not an MP for members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) only, but for all residents of the constituency. He therefore appealed to all the people in the area, including assembly members, chiefs and opinion leaders to work together to promote peace and unity, which, he said, was the only way towards accelerated development, since disunity retards progress.

The District Chief Executive, Mr Frank Asmah said the assembly had not been able to implement its bye-laws on sanitation and child labour, and said it would ensure that they are enforced next year.

He said the government has approved an mount of 1.3 billion cedis for the improvement of sanitation in the Elmina township and that part of the money would be used to purchase sanitary tools, relocate a demolished toilet and re-grass a pavement at the castle area. On internally generated revenue, he said an amount of 705,761,544.00 of its targeted revenue of 883,604,500 cedis was realised, and gave the assurance that the assembly would strengthen its sub-structures to make them more accountable in the area of revenue mobilization.