Kpalime, Kpeve, Tongor not happy with relocation of South Dayi District

capital

Ho, April 15 GNA- The Chiefs and people of Kpalime, Kpeve and Tongor traditional areas have expressed their indignation about the re-location of the capital of the newly created South Dayi District at Peki instead of the original Kpeve New-town. In a petition signed by the paramount chiefs of the three traditional areas and copied to the President, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and the Volta Regional Minister, they contended that a letter from the (MLGRD) dated March 17, this year confirmed Kpeve as the district capital.

The statement said the people were surprised to receive another letter dated March 24, from the MLGRD that "the issue of a capital for the newly created South Dayi District is still being discussed". They articulated that Kpeve was agreed upon after series of consultations by the four traditional areas including Peki and were shocked by the sudden turn of events. The statement said: "whatever decision needs to be taken on locating the district capital should not be arbitrary but in consultation with the traditional areas who are the stakeholders".

Speaking through a spokesman, Togbe Agbi Nani IV, Mankrado of Kpeve traditional area said they suspected the people of Peki for trying to reverse their collective decision at the last minute. He intimated that the Daily Graphic of March 11, this year published Kpeve as one of the newly created district capitals and would not understand the change. Togbe Nani therefore, appealed to the government and the MLGRD to let the positive change slogan affect the conscience and decision making process.

Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, the Regional Minister assured the people of sending the petition to the appropriate quarters for action and urged them to show maximum restraint in pursuing the issue. He noted that the essence of the creation of the new district was to bring decentralisation and administration closer to the people to ensure that development was not impeded by central administration bottlenecks.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said it would not be in their interest if the popular wish of decentralisation should bring acrimony, apprehension, misunderstanding and confusion to the people. He re-assured the people that the matter was not conclusive saying government would be fair in the election year.