Govt secures fund for Sumbrungu Airport project

Sumbrungu (UER), Nov. 16, GNA - Government has secured funds for the construction of an airport at Sumbrungu in the Upper East Region , Vice President Aliu Mahama had announced.

A runway and reception facilities are expected to be constructed at the site, which is about nine miles from Bolgatanga. The facility, which would benefit mainly the Ghana Air force, would eventually replace the Paga Airstrip.

According to experts, the Airstrip is not suitable for the landing of aircrafts, since they have to veer into neighbouring Burkina Faso airspace.

Alhaji Mahama was addressing a durbar hosted by Naba Clement Aberese, Chief of Sumbringu in his honour, as part of a one-week official visit of the Region.

He said Government had committed 900 million cedis for works on a local canal to facilitate the free flow of water to boost agricultural activities.

He said windmill-driven boreholes would also be provided to boost agricultural production.

The Vice President said plans were underway to provide free education, meals and uniforms to pupils to facilitate the enrolment and retaining of children in school.

He said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) would provide credit facilities to boost the income generation ventures of women. "Women make Ghana and without them there will be no nation... Women abound in skills and talents that drive the nation forward and they must be supported in their efforts."

Vice President Mahama introduced Dr Geyshika Adombire Agambilla, the Deputy Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, to the people as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bolgatanga and asked them to elect him to the next Parliament.

Vice President Mahama addressed a large political rally at Navrongo, where he advised the people to be wary of politicians who resort to lies to win votes.

He asked the electorate to renew the mandate of the Member of Parliament, Mr Kofi Adda to continue with the numerous development projects initiated by the NPP.

Vice President Mahama, interacted with chiefs and people of Shirigu and paid courtesy calls on some traditional leaders in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

He also toured Fumbisi; Kanjarga; Gbedema, Wiaga and other communities in the Builsa District where he addressed the chiefs and people.

He commissioned street light projects at Fumbisi and Wiaga. The Vice President introduced Mrs Agnes Chigabatia as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Builsa North Constituency and Mr Theodore Kaboa Ayaric as the Builsa South contestant and solicited the support of the people to ensure their electoral victory in the December 7 polls. Alhaji Mahama visited Yagaba-Kubori and Loagri Number one in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region, where he interacted with the chiefs and people.

He assured them that works on a bridge over the Yagaba River would soon commence to link the community to Walewale, to end the practice of using canoes to travel to school and for socio-economic activities.