Sandema (U/E), April 27, GNA - The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Awudu Yirimea, has ordered the termination of the five-kilometre Sandema-Chuchuliga road contract with immediate effect. This follows the inability of the local contractor, Messer Bozo Construction Ltd. to complete the project as at scheduled date, July 2004.

Mr Yirimea issued the order as in view of the fact that the project drew an enormous amount of public criticism at the People's Assembly held at Sandema on Wednesday.

Present at the forum were the Deputy Minister of Environment and Science, Dr Gesika Agambilla, the MP for the area, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia and a Member of the Council of State, Mr Francis Afoko.

He called on the people to exercise restraint and present their grievances for redress through the appropriate channels to forestall any conflict in the area.

On the lack of textbooks and logistics for effective teaching and learning, the Deputy Minister said this was a nationwide problem, but added that an order had been placed for those materials, which would soon arrive.

On the issue of electing DCEs into offices, he said since the current law on the issue has the backing of the constitution it would operate as such until the President made recommendations for a review. Mrs. Chigabatia, announced that 100 young persons have been recruited to be trained and resourced on a pilot basis for the PSI on rice in the Fumbisi Valley.

She said this would create employment for the youth and boost agriculture in the area, which is noted for rice cultivation. The Deputy Environment and Science Minister, Dr Gesika Agambilla appealed to the people not to indulge in immoral acts that would expose them to the risks of being infected with HIV/AIDS.

He said the health sector needs adequate resources to ensure quality health care and as such should not be wasted in treating HIV/AIDS to the detriment of society's growth and development.

The Acting District Chief Executive, Rev. James Agalik, cited a number of development projects carried out in the area, which had brought relief to the people.

He said the district generated a total revenue of 361.5 million cedis out of an estimated 328.7 million cedis, an increase of about 44.6 per cent in 2003.

Mr. Galik said during the same period, the district also received 1.5 billion as its share of the HIPC Fund to provide educational and health facilities in the various p[arts of the area.

He appealed to the people to discard their negative tendencies and assist the assembly in its development efforts.