CULTURAL NEWS
Monday, October 15, 2007
KRACHI EAST PRESENTS RESETTLEMENT PACKAGES
By: WINSTON TAMAKLOE, DAMBAI
THE Krachi East District Assembly has spent ¢2 billion on the demolition of 119 households along the banks of the Volta Lake and relocating them at a new site.
This is to pave the way for a new market complex.
Mr. Michael Gyato, Krachia East District Chief Executive made these disclosures at the presentation of resettlement package to the affected households here.
Each of the beneficiaries is to receive ¢5 million cash, five bundles of roofing sheets, 20 bags of cement and an indenture to secure the new site.
Water, electricity, construction of road network and lay outs to beautify the site has commenced in earnest so as not to delay the market complex project which is expected to start in a couple of months.
Nr Gyato pointed out that “demolishing and relocation exercise were painful to undertake, hence the giving of a human face to the exercise” and appealed to those affected to exercise maximum restraint.
He assured the beneficiary households of getting the first option to purchase stores when the project is completed.
In furtherance of this, plans are underway to transform the existing market into a tourist site for investment to boost revenue for the infant district.
On the average, the assembly generates between ¢12 million and ¢15 million a month which is inadequate for its development agenda and the existing market is an eyesore and health hazard to both traders and consumers which must be given prior attention, he stated.
Mr. Gyato said that “even though it is difficult for traders to get to the shores of the Volta Lake and trade further inland, you will have to bear with the assembly because the decision we have taken is in the interest of the people living in the district”.
Nana Mrah Besemuna III, Paramount Chief of Krachi traditional area, who chaired the function, lauded the effort of the assembly to block loopholes in revenue generation and attract investment to the district to ameliorate the plight of the people.
He assured the government of the traditional council’s preparedness to sacrifice to the land and property for the construction of the market as was done by their predecessors towards the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
Nana Besemuna supported the effort of the assembly “to give the exercise a human face” saying that “any attempt to frustrate the process will be dealt with accordingly because we have suffered for far too long and struggled for the creation of the district and we must all unite peacefully towards its growth and development.”
*Source:
The Ghanaian Times Thursday, October 18, 2007 Page: 22 |