Elmina, June 27, GNA- The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, on Tuesday cut the sod for the start of a 12-million Euros (15 million US dollars) Benya lagoon restoration project, at Elmina.

The project, which is being funded with 'concessionality' funds in the form of export credit and a state loan by the Belgium government, is scheduled for completion in June 2007, and is expected to facilitate a safe entrance of the existing fishing fleet comprising 700 visiting and 500 local vessels to increase the output of the industry.

It precedes the construction of a proposed fishing harbour in the town, and among others, involves the deepening of the harbour area from the lagoon mouth and entrance channel behind the existing breakwater and the repair of the existing breakwater to improve the safety of the fishing fleet by installing a new armour layer.

In his address, Mr Owusu-Agyemang, told the chiefs and people of the area, that the signing of the loan agreement for the project, redeemed the pledge made by President Kufuor to the people of Elmina to provide them with a fishing harbour, and that the lagoon restoration project, was the first phase towards that.

He outlined various problems leading to the present state of the lagoon, and noted that the present level of sedimentation at the entrance and in the lagoon, obstructed safe navigation, while the breakwater which allowed safe passage of vessels to and from the lagoon had been severely damaged by sea waves.

The Minister said it was to help save the situation that the government , had decided to take immediate and medium term measures to restore the lagoon to its former state.

He commended the chief of the Edina traditional area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, for his zeal and commitment in ensuring the commencement of the project.

The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, also reiterated the determination of the government to keep faith with the people, and assured them that the sod-cutting ceremony was not just a hoax, but for the actual start of the project.

He said the government had taken cognizance of the need of the people and their major activity which was fishing, which, he said, also constituted one of major economic activities in the region. Nana Arthur, therefore asked the people to help ensure the success of the project to help ensure socio-economic activities to reduce the poverty level in the region.

He tasked the chiefs to help enhance investment by releasing land for investment and expressed regret that some people had prevented investors from entering properly acquired sites, "thereby driving away projects which would come into the region.

He also touched on the importance of a clean environment and stressed that a lot of diseases could be prevented if the people kept their surroundings clean to enable the government to commit more resources to improving conditions for the people. Nana Conduah, for his part, also expressed gratitude to the government, and was happy that the project, which had been promised by successive governments, had finally taken off. He appealed to the contractors, Dredging International NV of Belgium, to endeavour to recruit local labour for the project as a means of providing employment for the youth in the area. Ghanaians support for the Black Stars and their anticipation of the up-coming duel between the Stars and their Brazilian counterparts, was evident at the function, as Mr Owusu-Agyemang, spotted a shirt in the national colours with a huge black star embossed in front, while both Nana Arthur and the district chief executive, Mr Frank Asmah, had wrapped huge cloths also in the national colours around their necks. Many of the people who attended the ceremony also possessed either miniature flags or other paraphernalia in the national colours. At the time of filing the story, residents in the Cape Coast township, were also keenly awaiting the match, spotting the national colours either in their vehicles or on their bodies. 27 June 06