General News of Monday, 25 February 2019

Source: Daniel Kaku

Jomoro Municipal Assembly hands over office complex to GES

The building has been a death trap for workers and their clients The building has been a death trap for workers and their clients

The Jomoro Municipal Assembly has handed over a well-furnished office complex to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ensure effective office work.

The building which was renovated by the District Assembly has eight rooms.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony over the weekend at Half Assini, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Ernest Kofie said the decision by the Assembly to renovate the dilapidated structure was to create an enabling environment for the education officers to discharge their duties.

The MCE revealed "This Education Office building we are handing over today was constructed in 2011, but I must say, I met the building in a very deplorable state. I inspected the facility when I took over as Chief Executive, and this inspection revealed to me a very worrying situation".

He added "In fact the facility was fast deteriorating due to severe leakage, cracks in walks and columns, breakdown in electrical wiring leading to indiscriminate electric shocks, rotten timber frames among many other defects that warranted urgent attention to save the facility from total collapse".

"I took office with the aim of working to achieve a number of goals. One of such goals is to improve access and quality of education in the Municipality. My major priority interventions to achieve this goal include provision of teaching and learning materials, ensure effective supersion and posting of quality teachers to teach in schools", he emphasized.

He said "After my inspection of this facility it was evident that my goal to improve access and quality of education in the Municipality would not be achieved if the Headmasters of education delivery at the District was left in the state I met it. The response is what are witnessing today".

He seized the opportunity to thank the contractor for working so hard to deliver the project far ahead of schedule and thanked the contractor for executing a very quality work.

He also thanked the people in the Municipality most especially the Assembly Members for working tirelessly to ensure the completion of the edifice.

He also thanked the Member Of Parliament for the area, Hon. Paul Essien for supporting the Assembly to renovate the building for the GES.

"Let me say the execution of this project was done at the expense of many serious basic school infrastructure need in the Municipality. It is therefore my hope that as we hand over this office block today", he assured.

He called for the maintenance of the building to prolong its life-span.

"It is therefore my hope that as we hand over this office block today, it shall be put to good and effective use, so as to justify the investment made. I throw a challenge to management and staff of the Directorate to let this conducive workplace environment, serve as motivation for improved work performance. I also called on the Directorate to take very good care of the facility", he charged.

Mr. Kofie said government was making relentless efforts in its education policy by providing the necessary infrastructure, provision of books, and other teaching and learning materials.

He also added that government was aware of its responsibilities towards quality education and revealed "A lot of strategic interventions are being implemented to match up with the task".

On his part, the Jomoro Municipal Education Director, Mr. George Effah expressed gratitude to the Assembly for its continuous support towards education in the area.

He said the gesture would reduce the congestion and gave the assurance that the staff would continue to execute their work efficiently to promote education in the Municipality.

He commended the MCE for listening to their pleads.