FIVE COMMUNITIES in the Sekyere West District of Ashanti have been connected to the national grid under the first phase of the Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP) planned for the district.

The beneficiary communities are Kofiase, Asaam, Nwaadan, Naama and Penteng Nwaase.

The communities provided 560 low voltage poles and offered communal labour in support of the project.

The Minister of Energy, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah commissioned the project at Kofiase last week Monday. Hon. Kan-Dapaah who is also MP for Afigya Sekyere West credited the NDC for initiating the project and announced that the government would not hesitate to continue with the good works of the NDC.

He, however, pointed it out that "all bad policies, which led the country to the sorry state, will not be repeated."

Kan-Dapaah reminded the people that supply of electricity was not beneficial until it was used to generate income and assured that the NPP government would do all it could to create jobs in the area.

The Regional Minister, Hon. S. K. Boafo, commended the beneficiary communities for their commitment and self-help spirit for the completion of the project.

He announced that the second phase of the project (SHEP II) would soon begin and that towns like Mprim, Kruwi, Asuafu, Benim, Nyinampong and Nkwabirem would benefit from it.

The regional minister emphasised the government's determination to reduce poverty, create wealth and raise the standard of living of the people.

Boafo pointed to the Emergency Social Relief Programme (ESRP) and other poverty reduction interventions as ways through which the government can improve upon the lot of the people.

The chief of Kofiase, Nana Ofori Sarfo V, appealed to the energy minister to supply 600 more metres for the township because the 300 metres already supplied were woefully inadequate to meet their needs.

To this request, Hon. Kan-Dapaah gave a firm promise that it would be granted.