Bolgatanga (Upper East), 2nd July 99 -

The government has concluded an agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the commencement of the second phase of the "Upper East Land Conservation and Small-Holder Rehabilitation Project" (LACOSREP II), at a cost of 13.9 million dollars (approximately 40 billion cedis).

Like its predecessor, LACOSREP One, the second phase would have a life span of five years ending in 2004.

Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, announced this when he addressed the general meeting of the Regional House of Chiefs in Bolgatanga.

He explained that the components of the project include development of water resources, agriculture, and rural infrastructure, promotion of income-generating activities and capacity building.

He added that under the water resource management component, 30 existing dams in the region would be rehabilitated and six new ones constructed.

Livestock development and processing of farm produce and marketing would be catered for under the agricultural development component.

Alhaji Sulemana said the provision of potable water, latrines and feeder roads, as well as the strengthening of management capacity of the key implementing agencies, also form part of the LACOSREP II

"Taking cognisance of the fact that agriculture is the mainstay of the people of this region, government is leaving no stone unturned towards the improvement of that sector," the Minister said.

He said it is the policy of the government to improve the road network in the country to facilitate the movement of people and goods.

To this end, it has allocated 18.2 billion cedis to the Ghana Highways Authority in the region for the rehabilitation of major roads, he said.

Roads that are to benefit from this scheme include the Bolgatanga-Bawku, Chuchuliga-Sandema, Chuchuliga-Chiana, Winkogo-Zuarungu, Wiasi-Gbedemblisi, Missiga-Pulimakom as well as roads in the Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Bawku townships.

Alhaji Sulemana said in spite of the country's limited resources and the falling world prices of cocoa and gold, the government would continue to provide the basic needs of the people.

GRi?/