Adukrom (E/R), June 23, GNA - The government has observed with grave concern that the provision of electricity in certain communities was rather creating opportunity for some of the youth to indulge in anti-social activities.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo Mensah, made this known at the inauguration of an electrification project financed by the Volta River Authority (VRA) Trust Fund for its settlement township at Adukrom in the Akuapem North District on Wednesday. The cost of the project was not disclosed.
According to the Minister, the electricity facility should rather encourage beneficiary communities to establish small-scale industries and improve their economic lifestyles and education of the children. Dr Osafo Mensah reminded the people that since the provision of electricity to the rural areas involved high cost to the nation, domestic consumers should use energy saving bulbs to avoid high electricity bills.
He, therefore, cautioned the people to use the electricity with maximum care, since overloading of sockets, the engagement of unqualified mechanics to carry out repairs and installations and the use of high voltage equipment could start fires, a situation which could result in damage to life and property.
Dr Osafo Mensah said the national electrification programmes would continue, adding that, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had recently installed new transformers at Abiriw and Obosomase, while several other communities and institutions including Akropong-Ahinase and the Presbyterian Training College at Akropong are expected to receive their transformers soon as part of the extension programme.
Dr Osafo-Mensah announced that, under the ECG upgrading programme, it would install bigger transformers at Mamfe, Aburi Frenchline and other areas, while the high tension wire from Mampong to Peduase would be replaced with bigger cables to improve quality service and the low voltage being experienced frequently.
The Regional Minister urged politicians to be very circumspect in their action and speeches as the campaigns for the December 2004 election gathers momentum and desist from doing anything that would disturb the prevailing peace in the country.
He asked the people to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme as an alternative to the "cash and carry" system in the district and also take the educational campaign on HIV/AIDS seriously to avoid contracting the disease..
The MP for Okere, Mr. Bradford D.K. Adu, noted that, although there were street lights and in homes, it was unfortunate that about 60 per cent of the house holds have not be metered and therefore expressed the hope that this aspect would be dealt with as soon as possible.
He pledged to provide linoleum and seats on all the 20 holes of the existing place of convenience and asked the community to appreciate the efforts being made and take good care of the facility.
Mr Adu appealed to the electorate in the constituency to be law abiding and go about the electioneering campaign without rancour and bitterness to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections, come December.
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