Tumentu (W/R), Jan 31, GNA- Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, on Wednesday presented six million cedis cash and various items to families of 11 people who died two weeks ago after eating fish caught in the river Ankobra at Tumentu in the Nzema East District

The donation, which was done on behalf of the president, John Agyekum Kufour, included 35 pieces of wax prints, three cartons of Gino cooking oil, a crate of minerals and three bottles of schnapps to the Tumentu Community.

The 11 persons had severe diarrhoea after eating the fish suspected to have been contaminated leading to their death while five others were hospitalised at the Simpa Health Centre. Making the presentation, Mr Boateng expressed the President's condolence to the bereaved families saying the entire nation share their grieve.

He said clinical tests would continue to ascertain what caused the death of the 11 people since the preliminary tests by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could not identify the problem. Mr. Boateng said government would provide the community with boreholes fitted with pumps and places of convenience.

Awulae Angamatu Agyan 11, Omanhene of Gwira Traditional Area, who received the donation on behalf of the bereaved families and the community, thanked the President for showing interest in the community and for his concern for the bereaved families. He appealed to the government to rehabilitate roads in the area and to provide the area with a clinic.

Awulae Agyan also thanked the Nzema East District Assembly for its prompt response to the problem by temporarily stationing medical personnel in the community.

Accompanied by Mr.Joshua Kwajah-Ellimah, the District Chief Executive and Mr. Jonathan Allotey, Director of EPA, Mr. Boateng inspected the river Ankobra, which is the source of water for the community.