Accra, March 20, GNA - Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minster of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, on Tuesday said a request would have to be made and the circumstances looked into for Ashaiman to be upgraded into a district assembly.

He however said Tema was a metropolis and Ashaiman, which under that metropolis, was being well served by Tema.

The Minister was responding to a question in Parliament on factors that qualify an area to be made a district assembly. He said beside the element of population, the Local Government Act, 1993, (Act 462) takes into account geographical considerations and economic viability with the ability of an area to provide the basic infrastructural and other developmental needs from the monetary and other resources generated in the area. Mr Asamoah-Boateng, in response to another question on the construction of the Jema market in the Brong Ahafo region to enhance revenue generation, said the market would be considered as one of the new markets to be constructed.

"Ideally, it is the district assembly which initiates projects and contacts relevant agencies for assistance to implement these projects." "Kintampo South District assembly therefore has the mandate to identify projects that are urgent." He said records indicate that the district assembly has not submitted a request to the Ministry for a market for assistance. 13 March 07