Funsi (U/W), Dec. 5, GNA - Bush fires have burnt down fifteen high tension poles worth several millions of cedis along the Wahabu and Wellembelle transmission line within the past two weeks. Mr Ameen Salifu, Wa East District Chief Executive (DCE), who announc= ed this during the 26th Regional Farmers Day celebration at Funsi in the Upp= er West Region, said the destruction of the poles had disrupted the extensio= n of electricity to Funsi, which was to be completed by the middle of Decem= ber this month.

He said bushfires destroy several properties in the district annuall= y, thereby, escalating poverty and underdevelopment in the area.

He said it was time everybody in the district turned their attention= on the destructive effects of bushfires and help in the fight against the menace. Mr Salifu said the Assembly was setting up security surveillance on all electricity poles in the district and warned that any individual or community found to have caused bush fires leading to the destruction of l= ife and property would be made to face the full rigors of the law. The DCE appealed to farmers in the district to assist the Assembly t= o come out with a permanent solution to address the perennial bushfires in the district to enhance development. 5 Dec. 10