Nkwanta-Bawku road to be tarred

Bawku (UER), July 24, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend announced plans by the Government to tar the Nkwanta-Yendi- Bawku road.

He said the project had taken off at Nkwanta in the Volta Region while additional funds are being sourced to speed it up. The Vice President made this known during an interaction with the Bawku Naba Abugrago Azoka II, at his palace at Bawku as part of his official tour of the Upper East Region.

Alhaji Mahama, who was responding to the demands of the Chief, said the Kulungugu and Garu roads had also been given on contract and promised to urge the contractor on the Kulungugu project to accelerate the work.

He said the projects were part of measures put in place by the Kufuor Administration to "overcome the monster called poverty." Alhaji Mahama called on opponents of the Government to suggest alternative means to enhance the development of the country and not malign the good works of the Executive.

He said although Government was not aloof to fresh ideas, it would not allow anybody to reverse the country's democratic process.

Alhaji Mahama appealed to the Traditional Ruler to promote peace and stability in the area to facilitate development.

Bawku Naba Abugrago said the endorsement of Mr. Abdul-Rahman as the Municipal Chief Executive and other District Chief Executives in the area was an indication of improved inter-ethnic relations.

"We are now more concern with development and not power or meaningless divisiveness, which used to bedevil our area," he said. Bawku Naba Abugrago expressed satisfaction that Government had initiated plans to develop the Kulungugu site where the late President Kwame Nkrumah was attacked with bomb and the Pusiga-based Naa Gbewaa shrine, founder of Dagbon and other kingdoms in the North into tourist destinations.

Mr Boniface Gambila, Regional Minister, also stressed the need for the people to forge unity of purpose for development.

Alhaji Mahama later inspected projects at the Bawku Secondary School, where Government had invested 16 billion to upgrade the academic facility.

He expressed satisfaction about the quality of work being done but was not happy with the delay in the progress of work on the girls' dormitory, and gave the contractor, Messrs Alhaji Dantani a three-month ultimatum to complete the project.

"I will be back here in three months time, and I expect to see a completed block ready for use by the students," he emphasised. Addressing the 1,421-student population later, he appealed to them to rise above the protracted Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict and live in peace.

Alhaji Mahama advised them to make judicious use of their time in order to become useful citizens in future.

Responding to the appeal of the Headmaster, Mr Paul Apanga, for water facility, Alhaji Mahama said the school would be considered under the Urban Water Project.

Mr Apanga appealed to the Vice President to facilitate the completion of the projects, which include staff bungalows, administration block and classroom units.