Aboadze (W/R), Aug. 01, GNA - The management of West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) undertaking the West African Gas Pipeline Project is to undertake five development projects estimated at 210,000 dollars within its catchment area in and around Aboadze near Takoradi.

The projects are construction of two unit classroom block for Model Kindergarten at Shama, six unit classroom block at Abuesi, three classroom block at Dwemo, drainage system at Aboadze and a public place of convenience at Inchaban.

Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Member of Parliament for Shama on Tuesday cut the sod for work to commence on the projects.

She said WAPCo had taken the right step in implementing community development plan for the area, as the company would soon construct a gas terminal at Aboadze as some of the benefits from the West African Gas Pipeline Project.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah, who is also Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Sports, expressed appreciation to the company for undertaking community development projects in education and capacity building, health, sanitation and micro credit.

She said the areas chosen by the company for the projects were relevant to the needs of the people and urged them to observe environmental hygiene and sanitation.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah appealed to the management of the company to employ some of their workers from the area.

Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, urged the people to co-operate with the company to ensure the success of the West African Gas Pipeline Project.

He called on the management to equip the Shama library with computers to facilitate ICT education in the area.

Mrs Harriet Wereko-Brobbey, General Manager of WAPCo, said the company's community development programme was an "Initiative to promote community development in communities where it operates". She said the community development programme was part of an overall strategy to contribute to the development of communities affected by their operations to maintain and sustain good community relations and assist these communities to have access to basic development infrastructure and services.

The General Manager said management and the communities would meet annually to review and discuss development projects they required during the period of their operations.