The Ada Concerned Youth, an umbrella group of the youth in the traditional area, on Tuesday urged the government to facilitate the immediate development of salt pans at the Songor Lagoon for local co-operatives operating in the area to advance its policy on private-public participation in economic activities.

At a rally to express their position on the withdrawal of LI 1716, the youth said such developments would also demonstrate that government had no intention of taking over the mining of salt operations in the Lagoon, which is a source of livelihood of the people.

The LI 1716, which deals with the Ada Songor Salt Development Committee Regulations, was withdrawn to ensure further consultation in the interest of Ada and the country as a whole.

Mr. Jacob Nyabu, Secretary to the Association, who read the position of the youth on the matter, called on government to institute a referendum to confirm whether people are in support of it finding solutions on the salt issue.

He told the rally that the continued hassle over salt mining operations in the Lagoon was affecting economic activities in the area, especially relating to the employment of the youth. "We cannot make any decent living let alone educate our children."

He said since government's intention for the LI was for the good of the people of Ada, it should go ahead with it to ensure that few conceited people did not take over the exploitation of the Lagoon.

Mr Nyabu said in view of the economic importance of the Lagoon to the area and the country as whole, it was the view of the Youth that government should deal only with the Ada Traditional Council as the highest body of Adas in all matters relating to the Songor issue.

According to him the Ada Songor Lagoon Basin Owners Committee (ASLBOC) had not got enough grounds to represent Adas on issues of the Lagoon. The Youth also urged government to pay all accrued royalties due to the District Assembly for development projects.

Similar arrangements should also be made to pay compensation to the victims of atrocities meted out to innocent citizens by the past government over the Songor Lagoon.