44 Communities in Upper East to be Connected to the National Grid

2011
About 44 deprived communities in the Upper East Region would by the end of this year be connected to the national grid under the rural electrification project. In view of this a sum of 100 million dollar loan facility has been secured to cater for the project. The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Binduri Constituency, Stephen Yakubu, who announced this in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, mentioned some of the beneficiary communities under his constituency as Nafkolgo, Zuosi, Aniisi, Baasi, Pwalugu, Bingol, Gotisaliga and Payomire among others. He said the loan facility was acquired through the efforts of the Upper East MP caucus in parliament and outlined measures to solicit for more of such funds to extend the electricity to the remotest parts of the region. Mr. Yakubu also expressed his determination to install more street lights to add up to the existing ones. This, he explained, would help in tracking the activities of criminals who hide under the dark to indulge in all kinds of heinous activities. According to him the issue of security remains one of his topmost priorities in his constituency considering the violent situation in Bawku, which he indicated is now enjoying prevailing peace due to efforts of the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee and the government through the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) among other key personalities involved in the peace process. According to him efforts are being made to ensure that the area continue to enjoy relative peace and reconciliation among the two feuding factions. Mr. Yakubu also declared his readiness to pursue his developmental agenda for his constituents and touched on critical areas including health, agriculture, education of the girl child, teacher motivation, provision of school infrastructure, provision of boreholes, pavilions, sheds for chiefs and renovation of abandoned structures for health personnel and teachers. He said as part of efforts to improve maternal and child mortality in his constituency, structures would be provided for nurses and midwives manning the various health facilities especially the CHP Compounds so that community members could access basic health care with ease. The provision of such facilities would also curb the incident of health personnel refusing postings to deprived areas in his constituency. On education, Mr Yakubu outlined moves to construct more kindergartens and ensure high enrolment of girl child into schools. Teachers on the other hand, would be motivated and supported with scholarship schemes whilst others would enjoy sponsorship to continue their education into the teacher training colleges under his common fund and the GETfund. Other challenges he noted would be tackled in the form of youth dialogue so that issues affecting the youth would be addressed through the sharing of ideas and the way forward.
GBC END IA/