Garu MP visit arson victims

Mr Joseph Akudibilla, Member of Parliament (MP) for Garu-Tempane, has expressed regret that in spite of lack of mineral resources like gold and others in the Bawku East District, its inhabitants, at the slightest provocation destroy the limited resources of the place.

This unfortunate incident tended to increase the poverty levels in the area thereby making its inhabitants worse-off, he said.

Mr Akudibilla was speaking when he visited Bugri, a town in his constituency to console the about 400 victims, who have been displaced as a result factional fighting over loading rights at the Bugri Lorry Station, recently.

A misunderstanding over loading rights between two feuding factions of the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU) in the town last week, led to the arson that claimed the life of a 90-year old and left 29 houses as well as foodstuffs worth millions of cedis destroyed.

The MP, who is the Deputy Minister-Designate for Defence, condemned the act and described the perpetrators as very callous. He appealed to the victims to exercise patience and not to think of revenge but co-operate with the security agencies in their investigations to apprehend the culprits.

Mr Akidibilla donated 10 million cedis from his share of the District Assemblies' Common Fund for the re-roofing of some of the affected houses and also for the purchase of maize for the victims.

Mr Solomon Awini, Presiding Member of the Bawku East District Assembly, who received the donation on behalf of the victims, promised to use the money solely for the purpose it was given.

In another development, the MP inspected 500 dual desks for basic schools provided under the Non-Project Assistance Fund (NPAF) Programme of the Ministry of Education at Garu and expressed satisfaction about their quality.

He also inspected work on a bridge, which is currently under construction over the Tamne stream, near Garu.

He paid a courtesy call on Naba Akuntam Awini, Chief of Garu and urged him not to hesitate to inform the security agencies of any attempt by an individual or a group to disturb the peace in the area.

Naba Awini expressed his gratitude to President John Agyekum Kufuor for the honour done the area by appointing Mr Akudibilla as a Deputy Minister and, therefore, pledged his support and that of his people to the government.