The Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam Project has been described as one of the projects to drive positive change and reduce poverty in the country, especially in the northern part.
According to the Chairman of the Northern Development Forum (NDF), Major (Rtd) Albert Don Chebe, the importance of the project cannot be over-emphasised. He has therefore asked the government not to leave any stone unturned in completing the project.
Major Don Chebe was speaking during a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Alhassan Shani Shaibu, when he made the call. He further urged the government to source external funding to ensure the early completion of the project.
Visit
The NDF Chairman is on a one-week working visit to the regional capitals of the five regions of the north.
Major Don Chebe stated that the NDF would support the Akufo-Addo government in its developmental pursuit for the North, to ensure that the people get their fair share of national development.
He bemoaned the performance of schools in recent times, saying “the school pass outcome is appalling and the trend must change.”
“We must produce a high pass rate in our schools in our quest to catch up with the rest of the country,” he said.
He criticised the arbitrary increases in the prices of building materials in the north, especially cement and iron rods.
“We have to look at the prices of building materials carefully. How can we pay about GHC50 and GHC53 for cement in certain parts of the North? It makes physical and infrastructure development difficult. This debate has to come to the front burner,” he said.
Major Don Chebe used the opportunity to congratulate Mr Shani Alhassan Shaibu on his appointment, and urged him to work for the improvement of the living standard of the people.
He described the Regional Minister as a gentleman who is passionate about the development of the Northern Region.
The Regional Minister also commended the NDF for its strong advocacy role over the past years.
He assured the Forum of government’s commitment to equal distribution of development projects to all parts of the country.
He described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a listening father and a President who will not ignore the concerns of the NDF if tabled well.
He also thanked the NDF for the confidence reposed in him, assuring that he would support the President to push the northern development agenda to its desired level.
