Saltpond, Oct. 7, GNA - The Nyimfahene of Nkusukum Traditional Area, Nana Baah VII, has urged the government to subsidise the production cost of building materials to make them affordable to encourage the youth to acquire their own houses.

The Chief noted with concern the inability of some people, especially workers, to go to their rural communities after retirement to contribute to the development of their communities because they had no place to lodge when they go home.

He appreciated the efforts of government and some organisations to provide affordable accommodation in the country but suggested that if the cost of building materials is brought down, people could put up their own buildings at places of their own convenience. Nana Baah, who is also the Chief of Saltpond Lower Town (Nankesedo), made the call in an address to mark the annual 'Ayereye' festival of the people of the area. The festival is celebrated by a section of Fantes to commemorate their heroes who led them in their migration from Tekyiman in the Brong Ahafo region to their present settlement. He further appealed to the government to release unused parcels of land back to the owners to help solve the acute land problem facing the community.

The chief commended the management of the Saltpond Offshore Oil Company for deciding to sink two wells at a cost of 50 million dollars to increase production from the current 600 to 2000 barrels a day, and hoped the increase in production would yield the Salpond traditional area some royalties.

He praised the company for instituting a scholarship scheme for children from Salpond, Ankaful and Abandze to further their education in senior high schools.

He admonished parents to encourage their children to learn hard to enable them to benefit from the various scholarship schemes. Nana Baah expressed appreciation of the fishermen in the area to the government for the able manner the premix fuel shortage was handled, and gave the assurance that measures would be taken by the chiefs along the coast to curb the smuggling of fuel by sea. He called for the reactivation of the defunct Saltpond ceramics factory to create jobs for the youth. The chief called on the government to tar the Saltpond town roads to reduce the excessive dust which could cause respiratory infections. 07 Oct. 09