New Abirem, July 3, GNA - Mr Napoleon Amoako Asiamah, Birim North District Chief Executive (DCE), has stressed that the assembly intends to increase its revenue base in order to accelerate development. He said although the assembly cannot develop without assistance from Central Government and other development partners, it has to shift from being over dependant on external sources and rather widen its revenue collection effectively to get funds to enhance development. The DCE was commenting on the challenges confronting the district which is classified as one of the most deprived in the country, in interview with the Ghana News Agency at New Abirem in the Eastern Region.

Mr Asiamah expressed worry at the poor road network in the district, explaining that with the onset of the rains most of the roads would become unmotorable.

He therefore appealed to the Department of Feeder Roads and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to work on the New Abirem - Kade and the Oda - New Abirem roads which link the district with Kwaebibirem and Birim Central Districts.

On health, he said, the assembly would provide accommodation for a medical doctor and other medical staff, a theatre and a mortuary to New Abirem Hospital, to enable the facility to assume the status of a district hospital and serve as a referral point for the other health facilities in the area. Mr Asiamah said the assembly, was ready to sponsor as many teacher trainees as possible in order to get more qualified teachers to enhance education in the district in addition to the support being offered to student nurses and doctors. The assembly is also providing a number of boreholes to boost access to quality water.