Ho, April 21, GNA- Eleven Divisional Chiefs of the Anlo Traditional Council on Tuesday rendered their unqualified and heartfelt appreciation to government for championing the successful completion of the Keta Sea Defence project.

They also expressed their gratitude to government for measures taken to construct additional 315 resettlement houses for displaced communities of Kedzi, Vodza and Adzido.

Togbi Sri III, Regent and Acting President of the Anlo Traditional Council, who led the delegation of the Chiefs to pay a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa said "we are indeed grateful to the gesture of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by His Excellency, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor towards the project".

He however, appealed to the Regional Minister to "use his good offices to canvass for the speedy implementation of the salt, shrimp, and fish farming industries and the proposed ports and harbours project at Keta". Togbi Sri re-assured government that the Chiefs and Elders of Anlo are solidly behind it and would support President Kufuor's administration to stimulate the socio-economic development of the Anlo Traditional Area. Togbi Addo VIII, Fiaga of Klikor urged government to assist the Chiefs and elders to stem the rampant sale of parts of the lagoon by some indigenes saying the "practice was a recipe for disputes and conflicts which needed to be avoided.

Togbi Addo appealed to government to reconsider the roles being played by chiefs in the governance process and empower them financially to sustain the dignity and respect they commanded.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said it was government's policy to complete all vital projects initiated by its predecessor and also distribute the national resources equitably, irrespective of tribe, race, or political affiliation.

He said the recent sod-cutting ceremony in the area by the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama further demonstrated government's sensitivity to the plight of the people.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said government was determined to strengthen the partnership between it and traditional authorities to facilitate its political and development aspirations to bring prosperity to the people. On investment, he urged Chiefs to begin to identify investment and other economic opportunities of their area while appealing to the Keta District Assembly to identify land boundaries and banks for investments.