Regional News of Monday, 5 January 2004

Source: GNA

Government spends 9.7 billion to develop Navrongo

Navrongo (UE), Jan. 5, GNA - The government voted about 9.7 billion cedis in the last three quarters of last year on development projects in the Navrongo Central Constituency, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area announced at the weekend.

The money went into the provision of grinding mills, rehabilitation and cladding of schools, rehabilitation of dams, provision of sporting kits, medical facilities, and the rehabilitation of feeder roads. Mr Adda was speaking at Navrongo where he addressed polling station agents of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency. The occasion was also used to thank the people for their support in electing him to serve them during the by-election held there in March last year.

The MP said government had a firm grip on the country's economy and governance, and could therefore give good account of its stewardship in the last three years to the nation with pride.

"The number of projects government had initiated and completed nationwide is visible for the people of Ghana to see and judge."

He indicated that government would not compromise its development agenda to bring the needed relieve to the people, adding that it would not dissipate the scarce resources to please individuals, but would translate these resources into projects to improve the lives of the people.

Mr Adda called for respect for the party's structures and discipline among the membership, conceding that there were bad nuts among the party's rank and file.

The MP urged sincere followers of the party to work hard to strengthen its structures and use the party's constitution as reference point for resolving all grievances.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mahami Salifu, said this year's general election is a litmus test of the level of appreciation the electorate has for the rule of law.

He expressed the confidence that having demonstrated transparency and good governance, the NPP should not have any problem winning the elections.

He reiterated the need for unity among party members in that constituency and urged the supporters to go in their numbers to campaign vigorously for victory in this year's polls.

Mr Salifu also urged them to eschew harsh language and insults in their campaigns, adding that government would ensure free and fair polls in the forthcoming election.

The Regional Chairman of the Party, Mr Ben Boka, appealed to feuding groups within the party to lay their differences to rest and forge ahead to build a formidable front for the next elections.