Tamale, Dec. 31, GNA - Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) has pledged the assembly's preparedness to construct a storm drain along the main water-way in Gumani a suburb of Tamale to prevent the perennial flooding in the area. Alhaji Friday made the pledge during separate interactions with the elders and the people of Gumani to know at first hand the problems facing them for possible assistance.

Mr. Alhassan Nyabto and Madam Memunatu Della, Assembly Member and resident of Gumani respectively accompanied Alhaji Friday on his tour of the community.

The tour also enabled the MCE to interact with the people and explain the development agenda of the NDC to them. He assured them of equitable distribution of development projects.

Alhaji Friday said the assembly is sourcing funding from a French International Development Agency through a proposal for the construction of various storm drains in the metropolis including the Gumani project. He said a team of consultants from France would be in Tamale in January 2010 to assess the cost of the drainage for the possible funding. Two other proposals for the upgrading and refurbishment of the Tamale Abattoir and the re-designing and construction of the Aboabo Market and lorry park have also been submitted for approval and funding. Alhaji Friday said Tamale had been named among three cities in the country, namely Kumasi, Takoradi and Ho to benefit from a 40-million dollar package for development projects.

Alhaji Friday, therefore, appealed to residents of Gumani to be patient since the environmental problems would be solved to improve their standard of living so that they would continue to have faith in the government.