Bimbilla (N/R), April 26, GNA - People from the Northern Region have=

appealed to the government to take immediate steps to construct the easte= rn corridor roads to speed-up development activities of the area. The eastern corridor roads link the Northern Region through Nanumba North and South and the Volta Region to Accra. The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nanumba North, the DCE for Kpandai, some assembly members, opinion leaders, chiefs and the youth mad= e the appeal at Bimbilla in the Nanumba North District during a durbar to welcome the Northern Regional Minister at the weekend.

The visit afforded the minister the opportunity to tour and inspect some developmental projects being undertaken. Mr Mohammed Ibin-Abass, DCE for Nanumba North, observed that the bad=

road networks in the area was affecting the socio-economic development an= d thereby increasing poverty levels among the people.

He said there was no single road in the area that had been tarred an= d the feeder roads were un-motorable especially in the raining seasons maki= ng it difficult for farmers and traders to improve on their work.

Mr Ibin-Abass said the eastern corridor roads had been on the drawin= g board for far too long and it was time the government constructed it sayi= ng, "It is the shortest road linking the northern sector to the southern part= s of the country".

Mr Jatoh Jaspar Moayi, DCE for Kpandai said the area was much known for its production of yam, maize and cassava and transportation of these farm=

produce to the market centres were always very difficult.

He said the area also abounded in mangoes and appealed to investors interested in mango cultivation to take advantage of the fertile land to invest in the crop. Mr Moayi said though the district was just two years old, numerous infrastructural development had started and currently, there were about t= en bungalows being constructed at the cost of GH¢960,000.

He said the projects were funded by the District Wide Assistant Proj= ect and the District Assembly Common Fund.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, urged the peo= ple to be patient with the government saying the road would surely be constructed before 2012. He said government was still searching for competent contractors who=

would deliver quality work within specific time limits. 26 April 10