Saltpond (C/R), Feb. 11, GNA - The Omanhene of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, Okesse Essandoh VIII, has called on the government to pay royalties for the crude oil being drilled on the Saltpond Oil Rig. Okesse Essandoh stated that nothing had been paid to the Nkusukum Traditional Council since the beginning of drilling offshore Saltpond about 12 years ago.

Addressing a durbar of the Chiefs and people of the area as part of the activities marking the Golden Jubilee of Ghana's Independence, the Omanhene noted that royalties from the drilling of oil could be used to improve the living conditions of the people.

He called for the reactivation of the Ceramic factory, which was the main source of employment for the youth.

Daasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII, Omanhene of Abeadze Traditional Area, recalled the role Saltpond played in the struggle for independence and appealed to the government to give the town a face-lift.

He said both the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and the Convention People's Party (CPP) were formed at Saltpond because the town was the venue for important political meetings and activities.

Daasebre Ewusie urged the youth to rekindle the communal spirit of the people to hasten the pace of development of the area. Nana Ataapim Kweenu VIII, Mankrodo of the Nkusukum Traditional Area and Presiding Member of the Mfantseman District Assembly, said a Jubilee School would be built at Saltpond as a monument of the 50th anniversary. A rest stop for travellers on the main Accra-Takoradi-Elubo highway would also be constructed and the Victoria Park reactivated as a parade and picnic ground.

He appealed to the contractor rehabilitating roads in the town to speed up work.

Earlier libation had been poured under the palm tree planted by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President to mark the formation of the CPP, Convention House where UGCC was formed and at Pienyim where meetings and rallies were held.