Regional News of Thursday, 26 February 2004

Source: GNA

Agona District gets 680 million cedis from EU

Agona Swedru, Feb 26, GNA - The Agona District is to get 10 projects under the Phase III of the European Union Micro Project at the cost of 680 million cedis.

Mr Nketia Sarpong, Project Director for Central and Ashanti Regions announced this at the inauguration of the project at Agona Swedru.

He said the 10 projects would comprise health, education, construction of culverts and income generating ventures to reduce poverty.

Mr Sarpong noted that EU sank 1.420 billion cedis into a total of 22 projects for the Phase I and Phase II.

The Project Director warned that any District that did not perform or meet the dead line for the completion of the projects would be suspended.

He said that the continuation for the next phase of the project in various districts would depend on their performances towards the completion of the projects on schedule.

Mr Sarpong cited an example of suspension of Cape Coast Municipal Assembly from the Phase III of EU Micro Project for non-performance and cautioned that any district, which failed to meet the deadline, would be dealt with accordingly.

He appealed to the District and Municipal Assemblies to endeavour to contribute their 25 per cent of funding for the projects early so that more could be added unto them.

Mr G.B.L. Siilo, Agona District Co-0rdinating Director, asked the beneficiary communities to rekindle their communal spirits by contributing sand, stones and water so that the projects could be finished on time.

He called on community leaders to set aside days that would be suitable for the people to attend communal labour on the projects since modalities on the EU Micro project did not permit the award of the projects on contract.

Mr Siilo urged the Assembly members, Chiefs and Opinion leaders to adopt new ways of helping the completion of EU projects, adding that the District Assembly cannot provide the entire 25 per cent share in the project.

The DCD said the Agona District Assembly would do everything possible to complete its projects on time so that the District would be chosen first in the Central Region.