Regional News of Monday, 5 February 2007

Source: GNA

People of Vea appeals to Government to rehabilitate dam

Vea (U/E), Feb. 5, GNA - The people of Vea in the Upper East Region has appealed to the Government to expedite action on the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the weekend, after a durbar, the chief of the area, Naba Thomas Azubire, explained that since its establishment in the 1960s, the dam had not been de-silted or seen any major repair.

He said the dam, apart from being used for irrigation, also provides drinking water to the Bolgatanga Municipality and its surroundings.

Naba Azubire said if the dam is renovated, it would help the

production of tomatoes to feed the Pwalugu tomato factory in

the region. He said for two years now some of the farmers had not been

able to farm because of the low water level of the dam. "This

has led to the migration of the youth to the south to do menial

jobs to earn a living," he said. The animals also find it difficult to get water especially in the

dry seasons when the dam dries up, the chief added. The Chief appealed to parents to take advantage of the

capitation grant and send their children to school, since

education was the best legacy they could bequeath to them. He exhorted the youth to desist from the use of drugs since it

could jeopardize their future and render them useless.