Nyinahin (Ash), Oct 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday pledged the government's commitment to develop the bauxite deposits at Nyinahin and Kibi for the country's socio-economic development.

He said a very competent partner among the three firms that had applied to the government for partnership would be selected for an effective and efficient management of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) that had now become a major Ghanaian asset. President Kufuor made the pledge when addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the newly created Atwima-Mponua District at Nyinahin.

He addressed a similar durbar at Nkawie in the Atwima-Nwabiagya district.

Parliament on Thursday approved an agreement between Ghana and Kaiser Aluminium and Chemical Corporation for the sale and purchase of the VALCO for 18 million dollars.

"Mining bauxite would be conducted at Nyinahin and Kibi and not imported", the President stressed.

President Kufuor said as a new district they were entitled to the rehabilitation of the town roads, a district hospital, upgrading of one of the senior secondary schools and other facilities including telephone service to benefit its new status.

Nana Amanpene Boateng Twum II, chief of Nyinahin, commended the government for creating a new district for the area but appealed to the government to help rehabilitate the Nyinahin-Sreso road that is in a bad state.

Nana Twum Barima Apau III, Nkawie-Paninhene, expressed concern about abandoned agricultural show site at Nkawie and appealed to the government to complete it.