Elubo (W/R), Feb.18, GNA- An 11-member committee to oversee the implementation of a Regional HIV/AIDS project on the Abidjan-Lagos transport corridor was inaugurated at Elubo in the Western Region on Monday.

Dr. Leopoldine De Sauza Padonou, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Project, said it aims at providing preventive services for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS on the transport corridor. He said countries along the corridor including Ghana, Benin, Cote d'ivoire, Togo and Nigeria, were jointly implementing the project. Dr. Padonou said the services are targeted at migrants and the local population living along the borders.

He said border services would be provided at Elubo and Aflao in Ghana, Noe in Cote d'ivoire, Kodjouiakope and Aneho in Togo, Hilacondji and Krake Plange in Benin and Seme in Nigeria

Mr. Martin Ackah, District Chief Executive for Jomoro, appealed to members to efficiently to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the countries participating in the project.

Mr. Ackah assured the people of the district assembly's preparedness to support the committee to enable it to achieve its goal.

He said the free movement of people and goods in the sub-region has led to the fast spread of the sexually transmitted diseases in the region in spite of education to check them.

Mr. Stephen Blay, the District Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, said the World Bank was the main donor to the project and had provided a grant of 17 million United States dollars for it.

He said each of the five beneficiary countries have contributed 1.3 million dollars for the four-year project, which started in July 2003 and would end in July 2007. 18 Feb 04