Zabzugu(N/R), Sept. 11, GNA - Zabzugu/Tatale District Assembly has received 1.7 billion cedis as its share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for the first quarter of the year. Part of the money was used for the construction of a three-unit classroom block for Tatale Evangelical Presbyterian Secondary School, completion of a six-unit classroom block, office, store, KVIP and urinal for Tidan Primary school.

Others were for renovation works at Sabare Junior Secondary School, Finayili and Suburine District Assembly Primary schools. Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, Zabzugu/Tatale District Chief Executive, announced this at the last ordinary meeting of the assembly at Zabzugu. Members of the assembly which had been dissolved received two million cedis each as ex-gratia award.

Alhaji Bukari said the Community Water and Sanitation Agency had released hand pumps for the installation of 16 boreholes in 16 communities as part of efforts to eradicate Guinea worm in the district. On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), he said the district had started with the Youth in Agriculture component, under which the assembly had assisted 370 youth to plough about 300 hectares for farming.

The assembly had in addition, allocated 1,600 bags of fertilizer to maize and soya bean farmers, adding that under the waste and sanitation component of the NYEP, 25 people would be engaged in garbage and waste collection, de-silting of gutters, drains and spraying of households. The DCE announced that Yendi-Tatale road had been awarded on contract for rehabilitation.

Mr Edward Dawuni, Presiding Member of the assembly, urged the out-going members to team up with other well-meaning people in the area to fight child trafficking and forced marriages. He urged contestants in the September 26 District Level Elections to comport themselves and conduct their election campaigns in a peaceful manner.