One billion cedis needed for Wa-Tumu road

Wa (Upper West), 20th April ?99-

The government will spend 4.1 billion cedis this year to tar the first 12 kilometres of the Wa -Tumu road, Mr David Osei Wusu, Upper West Regional Minister, has announced.

The Funsi-Yala and the Wa-Bulanga roads have also been awarded on contract for regravelling during the same period to make them more motorable, Mr Osei Wusu told the second ordinary meeting of the fourth section of the Wa District Assembly at Wa on Monday.

He reiterated the government's commitment to provide infrastructure in all districts as the foundation for Vision 2020 and urged the assembly to arrest the perpetual low level of revenue mobilisation in the district by exploring non-traditional sources of raising of generating ihncome. The minister listed chieftaincy disputes, insecurity arising out of the widespread cattle rustling in the Dorimo traditional area, as impediments to development in the district. He enjoined the members to refrain from taking sides in controversial issues and to co-operate with the security agencies to ensure that "these unrests are eliminated". Alhaji Ali Seidu Telpuo, Wa District Chief Executive, said 30 groups engaged in agricultural related ventures have so far benefited from the 30 million-cedi district poverty alleviation fund.

He expressed concern about the high rate of expulsion of settlers at Dorimo, Bulenga, Kunsaabiala, and Poyentanga villages, saying "some of the expulsions are not justifiable". "While expulsion of thieves from Dorimo could be in the right direction, the rest have no legal merits," he said.