E.U. to release 250 billion cedis for more projects

Bihee (UW), Jan. 25, GNA - The government and the European Union under the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and National Indicative Programme (NIP) would support a number of communities with a total of 250 billion cedis to undertake micro-development projects in some selected districts.

The move is to help in the implementation of the 6th micro-projects in 56 selected districts in the country.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance announced this in a speech read for him by Mr Osei Frimpong, a Special Assistant, during the symbolic inauguration of EU projects at Bihee in the Wa District of the Upper West Region.

He said a total of 47 projects were constructed in the Upper West Region under the 5th micro-projects programme at a total cost of 21.6 billion cedis.

Mr Osafo-Maafo urged the various district assemblies and beneficiary communities to co-operate with the various donor agencies in the region to pave way for more of the donors to assist them with their development projects.

Mr Klaus Dieter Gautsch, First Secretary of the European Union Ambassador said a total of 1,275 projects out of 1,950 were completed under the fifth (5th) micro-projects made up of schools, water, sanitation, markets, health centres, libraries and teachers quarters throughout the country.

He said more projects made up of markets, culverts, abattoirs had been earmarked for the Upper West Region in the next batch of projects and called on the district assemblies to keep faith with their side of the contracts.

Mr Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister urged district assemblies in the region to continue to sponsor students pursuing technical and vocational courses to come back and serve as technocrats of the assemblies to reduce the cost of projects.

He said the European Union had contributed tremendously to the development of the region and gave the assurance that the government would create an enabling environment for the operations of donor organisations in the region.

Mr Godfrey Bayong Tangu, Wa Municipal Chief Executive said the assembly would benefit from 15 projects at a total cost of 1.06 billion cedis and urged communities to participate effectively towards the execution of the projects.