Lets avoid conflicts and exploit the wealth in the North- Boniface

Tamale, Feb. 18, GNA - Mr Boniface Abubakari Sadique Northern Regional Minister has appealed to the people of the region to avoid conflicts and instead concentrate on exploiting the rich natural resources endowed in the area.

He said the region was endowed with mineral resources such as lime, iron-ore, gold and agricultural products like rice, millet and guinea-corn but because of the conflict situation in the region, this had not been exploited to the full benefit of the people. Mr Boniface said this when he met with members of the regional coordinating and the regional Security Council, District Chief Executives, opinion leaders, Chiefs and Imams at separate meetings in the Tamale Metropolis Thursday.

Mr Boniface pledged his loyalty to the chiefs and peoples of the region and solicited their support and cooperation to enable him bring development to the region, adding that, " I was not brought here to lord over you but to serve as a servant".

The new minister paid courtesy calls on the Gukpega regent, Na Ziblim Abdulai and the Dakpema Na Roland Alhassan were he asked for their blessings to enable him administer the affairs of the region efficiently.

Dakpema Na Alhassan advised the minister to tread cautiously in his administration of the region because as he put it " The Tamale Metropolis was a difficult area beset with a lot of problems", which are often fomented by the youth who have no work to do.

He cautioned the minister to be aware of gossipers who peddle stories without any factual basis, with the intent to cause confusion and disharmony in the social order, adding, " Democracy does not mean you can say whatever you like and do whatever you like".

The Dakpema Na prayed for Allah's blessings for the new minister and urged him to make a mark in the footprints of the history of the region before he leaves office, reminding him that others have passed the same path he is treading.