A colourful ceremony of sod cutting for the construction of a state-of-the-art ultra-modern office complex for the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and a private vehicle testing center at Nsien in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region took place on Monday 16th October 2017.

The project which was the brain-child of the Member of Parliament for Evalue Ajomoro Gwira constituency and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon Catherine Ablema Afeku, will be executed by Fridoug Ltd.

Mr. George Kofi Anderson, the project manager of Fridoug Ltd, disclosed to the media that all construction works would be given to local artisans.

He said about 80% temporal workers in the Municipality will be engaged during the construction as local content,

"All aspects of the project will be done by local artisans, in line with Hon Catherine Afeku's vision of creating jobs for the people in the area", he assured.

Hon Catherine Afeku, Evalue Ajomoro Gwira constituency MP, who cut the sod on Monday October 16, 2017, said the project, among others, was to create jobs for the local people. She therefore called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunity given.

Hon Afeku expressed her profound appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of DVLA for hailing to her call for the establishment of DVLA branch in the Nzema enclave.

Hon Catherine said the new branch if completed will reduce the burden on drivers who always traveled from Nzema to Takoradi and Tarkwa for license.

"The era of frustration, suffering of drivers and cost of transportation to Takoradi and Tarkwa to acquire driving license is going to be over very soon", she excited.

Hon Afeku called on the youth of the area to rally behind His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and pray for him as he has started implementing his flagship programs.

"President Nana Addo has the youth of this country at heart and he needs your total support to execute his flagship programs", she added.

On the part of the Municipal Chief Executive for Nzema East Municipality, Hon Frank Okpeyen, he thanked the Member of Parliament for the area for her lobbying skills that has brought some development in the Municipality within these few months.

The MCE commended the chiefs and people of Nsien Traditional Council for releasing the land for the construction of the project.

He also thanked the Chief Executive Officer of DVLA for making the DVLA office in Axim a reality.

The MCE also expressed his profound gratitude to the leadership of GPRTU and PROTOA for supporting the agenda for the establishment of a DVLA branch in the area.

He promised to collaborate with the contractor to ensure speedy pace of the project. He, however, said that five offices had been earmarked at the GPRTU center for the start of the program while they wait for the completion of the project.

Speaking at the official sod cutting ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of DVLA, Mr. Kwesi Agyemang Busia, commended the chiefs and people of Nsein Traditional Council for throwing their support behind Hon Catherine Afeku for her to bring this important project in the area.

He said when completed, the office would help speed up the realization of the objectives of the Authority and position it to continue the drive in reducing road fatalities and optimising revenue generation towards the achievement of President Nana Addo's vision of helping Ghana.

He told the gathering that Hon Catherine Afeku was a hardworking Minister who championed the setting up of the DVLA branch in the Nzema East Municipality.

"Hon Catherine Afeku has been visiting my office, advocating for the establishment of the DVLA office in her constituency"

"I'm appealing to you to support her endeavours because Hon Catherine Afeku really have you, the constituents at heart.

"Nzema East Municipality met all the necessary preconditions for the construction of DVLA branch and the Municipality deserves it", he added.

He commended Nsien residents for the good hospitality accorded him and his entourage.

Mr. Busia revealed that so far the Authority has 28 DVLA branches across the country.

He said that the project, which is located at Nsien, off Nsien-Takoradi road is expected to be completed within six (8) months.

He also said the Authority has automated its operations to drastically reduce the work of midlle-men popularly known as 'Goro boys' and maximize revenue for the state.

The DVLA CEO said his vision is to help the service, raise public confidence and improve upon the image of the Authority.

He revealed that apart from the establishment of office for drivers to get license, a Testing Service Center is expected to be constructed alongside.

Mr. Busia noted that the DVLA would not compromise when it comes to the delivery of quality services.

He took the gathering through all the services the DVLA would be providing to the good people in the catchment area- thus, Vehicle Registration, Roadworthy, License Upgrade, Proficiency Test, Trade Plates and Physical Conversion.

The Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Council, Awulea Attribrukusu III, who was chairman for the sod cutting ceremony thanked the Member of Parliament for the area for lobbying for the DVLA branch to be brought into the Municipality.

He also thanked the DVLA CEO for accepting to Hon Catherine Afeku's call for the establishment of the project in the area.