Western Region to receive $1.8 billion dollars from China loan facility

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - The Western Region is to receive over $1.8 billion dollars from the three-billion-dollar loan facility from the China Development Bank (CDB) for development projects.

These include the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Project, Western Corridor 91Petroleum Terminal' Project, Western Corridor 91Oil Enclave= ' Toll Road Project and Western Corridor Railway Line Modernization Project- Takoradi-Kumasi; Dunkwa-Awaso Railway Line, Retrofit Phase 1. The rest are, Western Corridor Infrastructure Renewal project- Takorad= i Port Retrofit Phase 1, Sekondi Free Zone Project- Shared Infrastructure and Utility Services and Landing Sites in Axim, Dixcove and other areas. These were announced by Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle at a press conference at Parliament House in Accr= a on Wednesday.

"We as Members of Parliament from the Western Region, have taken not= e of the fact that, finally, after months of negotiation and review of variou= s feasibility reports, government and the China Development Bank (CDB) have come to some conclusions, which this August House will be considering. "We wish to use this opportunity to inform our constituents that as their representatives, we have looked at the projects earmarked for implementation with the $3 billion facility from the CDB and give them our assurance that we're ready for the debate and will vote massively to appr= ove the Master Facility Agreement," he added.

Mr Buah said 93The main thrust of the 91Agenda for Shared Growth and Accelerated Development for a Better Ghana' is the transformation of the national economy for accelerated growth and job creation". "The Western Region, we are happy to note is going to continue to benefit from the transformation that President John Evans Atta Mills is bringing to our economy. A cursory assessment of the $3 billion dollar loan reveals that the Western Region alone stands to benefit over $1.8 billion dollars." "All of this is good for the Western Region but it is even better f= or Ghana. It is important to appreciate that investing in the oil and gas sector in the Western Region benefits the whole of Ghana. Not only people from the Western Region will work in the completed Oil and Gas Industries. It will certainly be open to all Ghanaians. This will be the same story for the 54,000 jobs that will be created with the Sekondi Free Zone Project." "It is for this fact that the sustainable job opportunities to be provided for Ghanaians and not just people from the Western Region and the massive infrastructural expansion our country is about to witness that we remain grateful to President Mills for his vision and dynamism," he said. "It is worthy of mention that we are also expecting that the new Takoradi-Kumasi and Dunkwa=96Awaso railway lines will not only bring about a reduction in the cost of transporting agricultural and mining products, but also make the operators of these businesses more efficient and also create jobs for many more Ghanaians.

"The new rail lines will also mean freeing up our roads that are now carting bauxite and other heavy products, thereby reducing the amount of money spent by government to maintain these roads whiles extending the life span of these roads."

"We cannot help but register our excitement and full support for thi= s facility as Parliamentarians from the Western Region. We are happy for our region and for Ghana," he added. Mr Buah pointed out that though the Western Region was the biggest benefactor from this $3 billion dollar facility, other Regions also have cause to be excited. "For example all our coastal communities spanning four regions have been catered for with the comprehensive Landing Sites earmarked. The Accra Irrigation Project we do know is even more concentrated in North Tongu in the Volta Region all the way to Ada, Dawhenya and Accra. Same can be seen i= n the Rail Lines that cover Ashanti and Greater Accra as can be seen more specifically in the new rail line linking the Tema port with Akosombo and a lake transport infrastructure from there to Buipe."

"It is also gratifying to note that the Western Region will also benefit from the Coastal Fishing Harbours and Landing Site Projects which our fisher folks have long awaited."

"For several decades, the Western Region we will all agree has been and continuous to be a reliable natural resource hub and yet its people remain among the poorest of our country. Despite the enormous contribution the Western Region has made to the fortunes of Ghana either through Cocoa, Gold= , Bauxite, Manganese, Food Crops and now Oil and Gas, never in the history of our country has the Western Region received such a special strategic co-ordinated and visionary programme that will transform the Western Region and Ghana."

"This is the surest way to avoid a Niger Delta situation where the indigenes feel left out and watch helplessly as their resources are taken away without any plan of development for them."

"It is for this reason that we wish to urge our colleagues from the Minority especially Parliamentarians from the Western Region to stand up an= d be counted. "They must decide whether they want to be on the wrong side of histo= ry or whether they will join forces with us to meet the development needs and aspirations of the Chiefs and people of the Western Region. "We wish to assure our constituents, the chiefs and people of the Region that we will not disappoint them," he added.