Zabzugu (N/R), Feb. 8, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, has urged executives and parliamentary candidates of various political parties to advise their supporters to conduct their electioneering campaign with decorum.

"There is no need for violent campaigns and personality attacks. What is needed is to put your messages across to the people for them to make informed decisions," Alhaji Idris, who is also acting as the Zabzugu/Tatale District Chief Executive, said in an address read for him at the third ordinary meeting of the District Assembly at Zabzugu on Thursday.

The Regional Minister reminded the Assembly Members that violence and conflicts had already done a great disservice to the deprived region.

"The area therefore needs to be spared of political conflict." He stated that funds and other resources, which should have been channelled for the development of the region, were now being used to maintain security.

"These resources would have made great impact on the lives of the people if they had been used to execute development projects," he said. Alhaji Idris said under the Ministry of Education Support to Education Strategic Plan Project, the Zabzugu/Tatale District had been a beneficiary of a three-unit teachers' bungalow each at Nahuyili Primary School and the District Assembly Primary School.

Alhaji Idris said Konkonji-Mompani, Kalegu and Nahuyili Primary Schools, both in the district, would be the beneficiaries of a three three-unit classroom block each, adding that the buildings were at an advanced stage of construction at a cost of GH¢275,162. The Regional Minister said under the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsored District Wide Assistance Project (DWAP), the district benefited from a three-unit classroom block and sanitation facilities for the Zabzugu Girls' Junior High School. Additionally, he said, Sabre, Bator and Nakpale communities in Zabzugu and the Tatale E.P. Senior High School had been provided with a 10-seater KVIP each at a cost of GH¢79,000.00.

He said under the Community Based Rural Development Programme (CBRDP), the district assembly had benefited from a three-unit classroom block each and other sanitation facilities at Bagmane, Tochedo, Nyankpala and Njobilbo. Alhaji Idris announced that work on the first phase of a GH¢1.7 million-hospital project for Zabzugu had started. Mr. Edward Dawuni, the Presiding Member of the Assembly, commended Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, a former District Chief Executive, for promoting unity among the Basares, Dagombas and Kokombas, all major ethnic groups in the area.

He said the unity had led to peace and cooperation among the chiefs, opinion leaders and the assembly. "This has enabled the district to benefit from development projects under the administration of the former DCE." 08 Feb. 08