Ho, Dec. 23, GNA - Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister on Thursday declared 2011 as the year of action for development in the Region. He said the Region next year would see at least three major projects - massive road rehabilitation and construction, STX Housing Project and a University for Health and Allied Sciences.

Mr Amenowode made the declaration at a regional Meet-The-Press and photo exhibition, outlining development achievements in all sectors in the Region.

He said the flagship road project would be the famous 93Eastern Corridor" road, which would commence in the first quarter of next year. Mr Amenowode said funds had already been secured for the Eastern Corridor road project on which some drawings were about completed for work to start.

He said apart from that project, which would include artery road, othe= r township roads would be re-surfaced under a special project. Mr Amenowode asked the Police Administration to get their land documents ready for 350 housing units to be constructed under the STX Housing Project, which is high on the Government's priorities for 2011. On the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mr Amenowode said feasibility studies on the project had been completed and that President Mills would soon be in the Region to cut sod for its commencement. He assured that the first batch of students would be matriculated in September 2011.

Mr Amenowode commended the Regional Police Command for significantly reducing the wave of crime in the Region this year.

"I am particularly happy that defilement cases have reduced from 147= to 84, and robbery from 48 to 21, thanks to DOVSU (Domestic Violence and Support Unit) and the Department of Women," Mr Amenowode said. His presentation showed significant performances in education, health and agriculture sectors in the Region.

Mr Amenowode described the Volta Region as the 93tourism haven" for= the country and urged the media to promote its tourist sites. Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Information, who moderated the session, commended the media for projecting the Region well and urged practitioners not to rest on their oars.