Tamale, July 5, GNA - The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly as at now has no office complex of its own and this was impacting negatively on its operations, the Presiding Member, Mr. Abdul-Hanna Gundadow, told the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris. He said at present the assembly was executing its businesses in the offices of one of the blocks of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, which he noted, did not merit the status of a Metropolitan Assembly. Mr. Gundadow expressed this concern at a meeting of Assembly Members and the Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Iddris to welcome into the region and laid some of the problems and programmes before him with the view to addressing them.

He appealed to the government to speed up with the construction of the uncompleted office complex of the Assembly, which had been on a standstill for some years now.

Mr. Gundadow mentioned inadequate water supply to the Tamale Metropolis and surroundings communities as one of the major problems facing the residents, especially government workers, health and educational institutions as well as school children and urged the government to address the situation.

Some of the Assembly Members expressed their concerns about the indiscipline on the part of vehicle drivers and motor riders on the roads in the Metropolis and called on personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of Police Service to educate the public on traffic regulations to reduce road accidents.

Reacting to some of the concerns, Alhaji Iddris called on the Assembly Members remain united and act as advocates of peace in their communities. He also urged the Assembly Members to co-operate with government officials to reap the opportunities and interventions that the government was implementing to enhance the rapid development of the region.

He announced that his administration would institute a forum, dubbed, "Open Day" in one week of every month to pick the concerns of the people to help administer the region effectively. Alhaji Iddris said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was collaborating with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide the principal streets and some of the suburbs in the Metropolis with lights to give it a facelift and ensure security.

He suggested to the Assembly to look for development partners to complete the Aboabo Market Complex project and also put a day aside to clean the Metropolis to rid it of filth and mosquitoes while they pay prompt attention to helping disaster victims to alleviate their sufferings. Alhaji Iddris expressed concern about the poor road network in the region and appealed to the government to give due attention to improving road infrastructure in the area. The Regional Minister announced that RCC was liaising with traditional authorities to revive the defunct the "Regional Durbar of Chiefs celebrations" to showcase the rich culture of the region as a means to promote tourism and foster unity among the people. Alhaji Iddris also appealed to the assembly members to form cultural groups and sporting clubs devoid of ethnic affiliations in their communities to unearth talents for the region and the country. Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive would desilt gutters in the metropolis and provide boreholes to guinea worm endemic communities to reduce the incidence of the disease.