VRA committed to welfare, environment of communities - Manger

Yeji (B/A), Feb 21, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) is committed to the welfare and safe environment of communities of its operations, Ms Abla Fiadjoe, Manager of Community Relations of the Authority, has stated.

She gave the assurance at Yeji, capital of the new Pru District in Brong Ahafo when she presented sanitation tools worth 10 million cedis to the Volta Lake Improvement Project (VOLIP), an NGO working against environmental degradation in the area.

The tools, 10 wheelbarrows, 48 pickaxes, 48 shovels and 10 head pans are VRA's support to the NGO to embark on a clean-up exercise in town and the surrounding villages in collaboration with the District Assembly and the people.

Ms Fiadjoe commended VOLIP for tackling the issue of sanitation at Yeji and said the efforts were in line with the Authority's commitment in promoting safe and clean environment in communities of it operations. She stated that this was important for health reasons and to help attract investment into the communities, adding, "Our support for VOLIP also has much to do with VRA's historical links with Yeji".

Some of the residents of Yeji were resettled there as a result of the construction of the Akosombo Dam while others moved there from other parts of the country as a result of the fishing industry in the area.

Ms Fiadjoe explained that the VRA formulated its Community Development Initiative Framework Document about two years ago to meet in a proactive manner its social responsibilities in the communities. She said the Document was developed with the communities and spelt out the areas of support the communities could access from the Authority.

Togbe Aflo 11, Executive Chairman of the NGO, thanked the VRA for the gesture, which he said was the Authority's response to an appeal for support to promote sanitation in the town, especially at the fishing harbour area.

He said the World health Organisation (WHO) had also donated some treated mosquito nets towards the fight against malaria in the area. Mr. Ebenezer Amoah, District Planning Officer, acknowledged that sanitation was a big challenge to the District Assembly and appealed to the people to support efforts to keep the area clean to attract investors and to curtail the outbreak of diseases.

Mr. Noble Domenu, acting Manager of the Techiman Area of the VRA, appealed to the people to pay their power bills promptly so the Authority to serve them well.

Ms. Salamatu Ibrahim, District Public Health Nurse, advised the people to steer away from practices that could expose them to HIV/AIDS. Nana Yaw Kabrese V, Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, who presided, urged his people to lead decent lives to avoid falling into calamities.