Half-Assini (W/R), July 1, GNA - Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Omanhene of Western Nzema, has appealed to resident and non-resident citizens of the area to team-up and establishment businesses to generate employment for the youth.

He said the people should strategise and take full advantage of the several business opportunities that would be created by the oil find to turn around abject poverty, squalor and ignorance among the people. The chief said this at a youth forum organised by the National Association of Nzema Students at Half-Assini on Saturday.

They discussed the development of the area vis-=E0-vis the recent oil discovery, particularly the involvement of the people in all aspects of planning of the area's development.

"In order to reap the full benefits of resources from the area, we must plan well, pool our resources and establish industries for our own benefit so that the opportunity will not slip-by."

Awulae Annor Adjaye appealed to chiefs in the area not to sell land indiscriminately or to do anything that would be detrimental to the well-being of the people of the area. On the specific location of the oil, the chief advised the youth to be patient and wait for the institutions and agencies responsible to come out clearly to avoid any misunderstanding. Mr. Martin Yamikeh Ackah, District Chief Executive for Jomoro, said even though there had not been any official statement indication was that the oil "is on the land of Western Nzema." He advised the youth to take their education seriously to enable them to find employment with the oil industry. Mr. Mahmud Dan Archer, President of the Association called for collaboration between the association and the Western Nzema Traditional Council to enhance the steady development of the area. 02 July 08