NPP Gurus Grilled At People's Assembly

New Abirem (Eastern Region) -- The Eastern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Adi Ankama, has explained that the duty of a Member of Parliament (MP) is to enact laws for good governance of the country and also present the concerns of his or her constituents to the government at parliament.

He said projects like road construction, schools, markets and other capital intensive projects are the duties of the central government. Nana Ankama was answering questions at New Abirem at a "People's Assembly" organised by Birim North District held recently.

A member of the public had wanted to know the function of MPs since, according to him, some of the MPs are not performing to the satisfaction of the people.

He explained that the MPs do most of their jobs in parliament which makes it difficult for most of them to visit their constituencies and therefore urged the people to also find time to visit them in parliament and discuss issues of importance with them.

Government spokesperson Nana Ohene Ntow stated that health delivery has become a very big problem to many successive governments and hence the NPP government's desire to implement the health insurance scheme which will replace the cash and carry system.

He disclosed that 45 districts have already started the programme on pilot bases and others will follow soon. He therefore appealed to the people to embrace the health insurance programme since it is the only sure way to affordable and quality health delivery.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. B. V. Owusu Ahenkorah, expressed the people's gratitude to the government for the efforts being made to rehabilitate a number of roads in the area. He particularly mentioned the Nkawkaw - Oda road which has been awareded to K. E. & Sons, a construction firm, for tarring.

He said tenders for the implementation of the first major HIPC funded projects at Ayirebi, Akyem Kotokuom and Adadekrom have been opened and will soon be awarded to contractors who will win the bid. Other community initiated projects funded through USAID are nearing completion at Abudiase, Nkwarteng and Ofoase-Kuma.

The DCE further disclosed that 80 student teachers have been sponsored by the district which cost the assembly ?40 million and hoped they would return to the district after completion of their courses to assist children in the area to enhance education.

He called on Nananom and all and sundry to support and co-operate with him for rapid development for Birim North.