Kade, Aug 29, GNA - The chiefs and people of Kade climaxed their annua= l Ekaade Festival with a durbar at Kade at the weekend. The festival was under the theme: 93Our Forest and Environment: the L= ife of Our People." Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, Eastern Regional Minister, announced Government's intention to take stringent measures to protect the environment.

He said to that effect Government would soon introduce a bill in Parliament which would strengthen the existing laws to deal with those infringing upon the environmental laws of the country. The law would make for custodial sentence and heavier fines for the abusers of the environment such as illegal miners and chainsaw operators whose activities were polluting rivers and depleting the forests. Dr Apea-Kubi touched particularly on the operations of illegal gold miners, which had not only polluted the Birim River making it unsafe for consumers and which was also responsible for the recent havoc caused by the flooding of the river resulting in the loss of six lives. He warned that those flagrantly flouting environmental and mining laws would not only be prosecuted but also had their machinery seized. Dr Apea-Kubi observed that chiefs had a big role to play in the effective development of their communities and regretted the widespread chieftaincy and land disputes in several areas in the country. He commended the chief of Kade, Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, and the people for building an ultra-modern palace. Dr Apea-Kubi used the opportunity to touch on some on- going projects being undertaken by the government at Kade and certain parts of the Eastern Region. He said a three-storey dormitory block being built at the Kade Secondary Technical school is estimated at GH¢1,265,00, an administrative block at the same school at GH¢ 785,000, a three-storey building classroo= m block also at GH¢1,074,140.

At Akwatia, a GH¢261,168.35 six=96unit classroom block was under construction at the Akwatia Technical Institute. Touching on rehabilitation of roads in the area, the Regional Minister mentioned the upgrading of the Kade-Akyem Wenchi road, Subi-Abodam-Abomosu, Boadua Akwatia and two Kilometers of Kade Town roads. Others include Akawani Junction to Akawani, Topreman-Apampatia, Takyiman-Abaam, Subi Junction to New Abirem Nsawam-Asamankese and Oda-Achiase roads. Osabarima Tenadu said it was the responsibility of everyone to ensure that the country's forest bodies and environment were well protected. He said Kade and its communities intended to promote and engage in community tree planting, provide lands to Forestry Commission for tree planting, adopt agro-forestry practices by growing trees and crops, prevent indiscriminate bush burning and report all illegal activities to the appropriate authorities. Nana Kadehene urged his people to keep the environment clean and desis= t from activities that would destroy the environment. The Oseawuahene, Daasebre Asumadu Appiah, who chaired the function, commended the Kadehene for his foresight and drive which was giving Kade a new face-lift and called on the people to give him their maximum support.