Regional News of Thursday, 5 May 2005

Source: GNA

Oguaa Assembly takes measures to enhance security

Cape Coast, May 5, GNA - The Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Muniru Arafat Nuhu on Wednesday urged assembly members to reactivate the various community watch committees to help beef up security in the municipality.

He said this was imperative, as there have been five armed robberies recently, during which some residents were attacked and robbed of huge sums of money and properties.

Mr. Nuhu who made the appeal at the assembly's meeting at Cape Coast, said personnel from other security agencies have also been mobilised to assist the police in their night patrol duties. On revenue for the assembly, he said, last year, it internally generated a total amount of 1.4 billion cedis of the targeted 2.1 billion cedis, and that of the 2.6 billion cedis targeted for this year, an amount of 375.3 million cedis has so far been realised. According to Mr. Nuhu, the assembly expects to receive five billion cedis as its share of the common fund.

On projects, Mr. Nuhu said the government has provided 960 million cedis for the reconstruction of the burnt portion of the Kotokuraba market that involves the provision of 40 sheds, expected to be completed by July.

He said through the initiative of the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, Ms. Christine Churcher, a community training centre is being constructed at Siwdu with HIPC funds, while a number of projects also with EU and HIPC funds are progressing steadily.

They include provision of school buildings, culverts, warehouses and a 16-seater vault chamber toilet.

The MCE said an amount of 770 million cedis is also to be spent on the upgrading of some roads in the municipality, including the Asokyeano cemetery/Essuekyir road link and Ekon/Greenhill/Brafoyaw/Adisadel roads. The presiding member of the assembly, Mr. Kwesi Anaaise-Yarquah appealed to all members to work hard to ensure the development of the municipality. 05 May 05