Bugre (UER), July 24, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend advised communities living along river bodies not to farm very close to the banks, to prevent siltation and eventual drying up of the natural resource.

Alhaji Mahama, who is on an official tour of the Upper East Region, gave the advice, when he inspected the Bugre, Kpalwega and Zuabuliga dams in the Garu-Tempane and Bawku East, where he also interacted with the chiefs and people.

" You cannot eat your cake and have it. If you farm so close to the dams you cause siltation and the water eventually dries up," he emphasised.

He stressed the need for the people to plant trees and grass to protect the embankments.

Alhaji Mahama said availability of water in the region for an all-year- round agricultural production, would stem the migration of the youth to the south in search of greener pastures.

Mr Abdul Rahman Gumah, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, said 60 million cedis had been spent in rehabilitating the Kpalwega dam to boost food production and food security in the area.

Mr Samuel Ayaaba, Secretary of the Water Users Association of the dam, appealed to the Vice President to help the members to desilt the dam and re-enforce the embankment.

At Bugre, the Chief, Naba Alas-Buudu Kolgo Abugri, appealed to the Vice President to help dredge the local dam and hook the community to the national electricity grid.

He also requested for feeder roads to open up the community and the establishment of a technical school, pledging that land would be made available for the project.

Mr Roy Ayariga, Regional Director of Agriculture, said the farming community was going beyond the area demarcated for them for the irrigation of their farms, leading to the depletion of the water. At Zuabuliga, the Chief, Naba Malik Musah Awuni appealed for potable water and electricity for the farming community. 24 July 05