Douri (U/W), Dec. 17, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama says government is mindful of the disparity in development between the south and the north and is taking pragmatic measures to address it. He said government was aware that equitable development and social justices were important ingredients that could bring about peace and happiness among the people.

Government would therefore provide financial support and adopt accelerated development policies and programmes for the north, especially in education and road infrastructure as well as agriculture, health and water facilities to enhance unity.

Vice President Mahama said this at Duori in the Jirapa/Lambussie District during a courtesy call on the Duori-Naa, Naa Yuobaar Dombo II. He called to pay homage to the late Mr S.D. Dombo, founding father of the Northern Peoples Party, which is an offspring of the NPP. He also attended the funeral of Madam Kulpog Dombo, one of the eight wives of Mr Dombo, as part of his two-day visit to the region. Vice President Mahama described the late Mr Dombo as an honest and God-fearing person who worked for the good and betterment of the country and not for himself and urged others to emulate him. He mentioned his intention to contest the NPP presidential seat and appealed to delegates who would be attending the NPP delegates' congress on December 22, to vote for him to lead the party in the 2008 polls.

Naa Yuobaar Dombo appealed to the government to turn the dam in the village to an irrigation facility while efforts were made to extend electricity to the village to encourage cottage industry.