Shama (W/R) Feb.22 - GNA - Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Shama, on Tuesday commissioned the first phase of a drainage project undertaken by the Takoradi International Company (TICO) at Shama and Aboadze.

In a speech, Mrs Baiden-Amissah who is a Deputy Minister of Education and Sports designate, spoke of the poor drainage system in the area and thanked TICO for coming to the aid of the communities. She called on TICO, private Electricity Company at Aboadze to undertake the second phase of the project before the rains set in. Mrs Baiden-Amissah urged the people to observe environmental hygiene to prevent the outbreak of diseases by desisting from dumping human excreta and refuse in the drains.

She warned that those caught doing so would be prosecuted to stamp out the practice from the area.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah asked TICO to employ people from the area when the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project takes off. She used the occasion to warn fishermen in the area, who are using aggravated lighting for fishing that they would also be prosecuted when caught.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah said the aggravated lighting is an unapproved device and method for fishing and it depletes fish stock. Mr Marshall Pendergrass, General Manager of TICO, said the project formed part of the company's assistance to communities in its area of operation.

He said they were commissioned to commemorate the fifth anniversary celebration of the company.

Mr Pendergrass said TICO was prepared to assist communities when called upon to do so and the focus of the company's assistance has shifted from education projects to health projects.

The drainage project and an on-going water supply system at Abuesi that TICO is undertaking with the Volta River Authority (VRA) are estimated at 500 million cedis.