Sekondi, Jan. 1, GNA - The Western Region is to receive additional energy support to accelerate its development projects Mr Joseph B Aidoo, the Regional Minister has announced. He said the Energy Division of the World Bank had agreed to assist the Region in that direction.
Mr Aidoo said additionally, the World Bank had agreed to grant the Region 20 million US dollars for the resettlement, re-training and registration of small-scale mining operators in the Region. He said the increasing number of small-scale operators in several parts of the Region had compelled the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to search for assistance for the group. Mr Aidoo hinted that construction work would begin on the Sefwi-Wiawso-Benchima; Asangrangwa-Enchi roads, while work on the Sekondi Ports Stadium would also begin in 2006. The Regional Minister said these developments would transform the fortunes of the Region and create more employment opportunities for the people.
He said ten units of the Cocoa Farmers Housing Scheme would be built at three different sites in the Region to enable farmers to make their choices.
The prototypes he said ranged from two bedrooms to a family house with a courtyard.
Mr Aidoo announced that some farmers had already made substantial payments for the construction of the houses and hinted that the site clearing for the first ten units would begin next week. He said government had made a budgetary allocation of 10 billion cedis towards the Scheme.
Mr Aidoo assured cocoa farmers that government was working out modalities and their cocoa purchased would be paid for.
