Chief calls for exploitation of oil

Duayaw-Nkwanta (B/A), July 23, GNA- Nana Boakye Tromo III, Omanhene of Duayaw-Nkwanta in Tano North District of Brong-Ahafo on Wednesday appealed to the government to initiate measures aimed at harnessing the oil deposits at Mankra in the district.

He intimated that such a move would create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth in the area, and help accelerate the socio-economic development of the nation. Nana Boakye expressed worry that since 1961 when the oil was discovered in the Tano basin, after exploration had been carried out by some foreign companies, successive governments had failed to show real commitment to its exploitation and this had impeded the socio-economic advancement of the people.

He called on the government to consider the enormous benefits likely to accrue from the resource to the state and urged it to turn its attention there, because the "resources have been left unexploited for far too long".

Nana Boakye was speaking to journalists after a courtesy call on him by Mr John Dramani Mahama, running mate of NDC's Flagbearer Professor John E. Attah Mills as part of his 10-day tour to some parts of the region.

The Chief also appealed to the government to ensure the completion of the tarring of the Duayaw-Nkwanta-Bomaa road to facilitate the carting of farm produce from Bomaa to Duayaw-Nkwanta market centre. He also called for support in loans and inputs for fish farming to make it attractive to the youth. "The road project was started about three years ago but up to date, it has not been tarred and something must be done about it now", Nana Boakye stated. He called on the government to involve Duayaw-Nkwanta in the modernisation process of district capitals, saying the town had been neglected.

Nana Boakye urged the government, individuals and organisations to come to the aid of Boakye Tromo Secondary Technical School, to solve the accommodation problem for its staff.