Adansi North to spend 790 million cedis on HIPC projects

Fomena (Ash), Jan. 14, GNA - The newly created Adansi North District Assembly is to commit 790 million cedis into undertaking four major projects this year.

The projects comprise three-unit classroom blocks, offices and stores and sanitary facilities each at Fumso and Ayokoa and 16-seater vault chamber toilets at Kyekyewere and Medoma. Mr S.K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister-designate and acting District Chief Executive, announced these at the first ordinary meeting of the Assembly at Fomena on Thursday. He said the funding formed part of the first tranche of the HIPC relief fund, which was initially one billion cedis but was revised to the 790 million cedis.

The Regional Minister-designate was particularly happy about the benefits the District would enjoy under the HIPC Fund. "I am particularly happy about the benefits of HIPC in the District, especially the construction of the Fumso Market school block. The successful completion of this project will not only decongest the market area to save life and property during market days, but will also increase revenue from the market", he said. Mr Boafo urged the Assembly members to lend their support to contractors who would execute the HIPC projects in the District. He further announced that estimated revenue of 6.9 billion cedis was to be generated this year from both local and external sources. "Out of this amount six billion cedis is expected from the District Assemblies Common Fund while the remaining amount is to be generated from our local resources".

Mr Boafo said 825 million cedis would be used for recurrent expenditure while six billion cedis had been earmarked for development projects.

The Regional Minister-designate urged the Assembly to make judicious use of its funds, stressing, "whatever small amount you get do something monumental with it". Nana Adu Ampoti Dwaa II, regent of Bodwesango and government appointee at the Assembly, who moved for the acceptance of the Minister's address, pledged the assembly's commitment to the cause of the District by ensuring the implementation of all development projects and programmes.

Mr Kofi Aboagye Agyemang, member for Ayaase, expressed concern about the deplorable nature of feeder roads in the District. He mentioned the Bobriase-Kyeaboso and Fomena-Old Ayaase roads as some that needed to be tarred to facilitate the development of the area.