Sekondi, March 22, GNA - Chiefs in the Western Region have expressed their concern about the rejection of their nine point petition presented to the government through parliament. As a result they plan to meet at the appropriate time to decide on the issue, Awulae Attibrukusu III, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, said this in a speech delivered at the first general meeting of the House in Sekondi.

Awulae Attibrukusu III said "I want to assure the people of the Western Region and Ghana as a whole that, Nananom still stand by their petition on its entirety".

He said the chiefs are not demanding 10 percent from the revenue that would accrue from the Oil to enrich themselves.

"The underlying factor of the petition is the development of the Western Region and not for Nananom's personal gains or pockets". Awulae Attibrukusu said the Chiefs also expressed worry that even though a nine-point petition was submitted, concentration has however been placed on only the 10 percent petroleum revenue which they requested to be paid into the Western Development Fund, thus neglecting the rest.

He said the chiefs are alarmed about the state of development and the high rate of unemployment in the Western Region in spite of the rich resources in the area.

To this end, he said "I, Awulae Attibrukusu III, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, thought it prudent to officially bring this issue to Nananom's attention for decision".

It would be noted that a few weeks ago parliament ruled out the request by the Western Regional House of Chiefs demanding 10 percent of the oil revenue for development of the region saying it was not feasible.

The first session was also used to induct Awulae Kaku Aka II, Omanhene of Awiaso Traditional Area, into the House of Chiefs as the 23rd member.