Sekondi, July 22, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, has condemned road contractors who won contracts in the region but failed to perform.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the re-constituted Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) at the Residence at Sekondi on Tuesday. Mr Aidoo said some of the contractors were paid for mobilization but disappeared soon after that and others whose performance had not been encouraging had been warned to improve or have their contracts terminated.

He said the performance of another category of contractors have been found to be very poor and have had their contracts recommended for termination.

They include El-Shine Limited, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, Westlande Camp Limited, Ghaber Ghana Limited, Auroras Limited, Firmastert Limited and Nyagisi Engineering Limited. Others are Bonso Brothers Group Limited, Kamsad Contractors Limited, Eagle Star Enterprise Limited, Kendricks Construction Limited, Maico Ghana Limited. Justmoh Construction, Cymain Ghana Limited, Kramba Enterprise Limited, Ogakpo Construction Limited, Alben Construction Works and Heals "B".

He said Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief executives should ensure that they are conversant with the locations of the projects so that they could insist on the right thing being done or report the conduct of such contractors to his office. Mr Aidoo said one challenge facing the region is illegal mining, "galamsey" and areas where it has been quite pronounced include Prestea, Mpohor, Damang, Akyempim, Tarkwa and Telekubokazo.

He said in all these areas, confrontations had occurred between the galamsey operators and the established mining companies. He said galamsey is now assuming alarming proportions the River Pra, the Bonsa River and the Tano River are being polluted. Mr Aidoo said the Regional Security Committee has already carried out an eviction exercise in the River Pra and similar exercises would be undertaken until the problem is resolved.

"Let us educate our youngsters on the ills of galamsey and impress upon them that galamsey does not hold a future for them and do everything possible to assist to reverse the trend". Mr Aidoo said the region must derive the maximum benefits from the oil find and that this was not the time to argue or quarrel about the location of the oil.

He said what the people needed to do is to position themselves to take advantage of the industry and all allied businesses and encourage their children to avail themselves of courses that would enable them participate directly in the oil industry. Mr Aidoo said the RCC in consultation with stakeholders had formulated a blueprint for the development of the region. Mr Aidoo said one of the threats to the region is chieftaincy disputes and at times, its attendant land litigation and there are chieftaincy disputes at Atuabo, Wassa Fiase, Princess Town, Akitakye, Sefwi Wiawso, among others. 22 July 09