Iyke: RM visit defunct state facilities

20-05-14

Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh

The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh, says he is saddened by the way state properties are being denigrated and left unattended to. Briefing the media after a tour of some selected properties in the region, Dr Nsoh, expressed discontent about the way some state resources particularly, factories are left to rot, while majority of the teeming unemployed youth continue to wallow in poverty. He said though some of the abandoned state facilities require huge capital investment to revamp, the Regional Coordinating Council RCC was going to seek the support of government and private entities to put them to use. Our Upper East Regional Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

Snr Technician at the GIHOC Meat factory, Martin Adongo briefing the visitors

Report

The Regional Minister accompanied by some officials from the RCC, visited the Northern Star Tomato Factory at Pwalugu, the defunct Ghana Rice Production factory and the GIHOC Meat Production Company both at Zuarungu. He also made a stopped at the Axle load point to interact with staff and acquaint himself with their mode of operation. His last point of visit was at the Catering Rest House, where he indicated his discontent at the way the place was being managed. At the Northern Star Tomato factory formerly Pwalugu Tomato Factory, no worker or management staff was found on site. The place looked deserted with structures overgrown with weeds. At the GIHOC Meat Factory, the regional minister was taken round the facility by a senior technician, Martin Adongo. The factory which began operation in 1965 saw its last production in 1995 and has since not been operational. Mr Adongo, said the factory, which is now under the Divestiture Implementation Committee could be resuscitated if the needed resources such as of finance and equipment are provided in due course. Most of the machines, he noted are obsolete and need to be replaced. Others, he added are functional but needed repairs. The situation at the Rice Production factory was not different as the place has been abandoned for years and has become a breeding ground for rodents and reptiles. Some portions of land belonging to the company had been encroached upon. In view of the situation, the Regional Minister, ordered the immediate stop of all ongoing projects at the site. He also instructed the company’s warehouse to be locked till the current occupants produced valid documents to authenticate their stay. Almost all the facilities the minister visited were encroached on. Dr Nsoh blamed the situation on the land sector agencies and called for a paradigm shift. He told Radio Ghana that the RCC was in consultation with concerned agencies to chart the way forward in addressing issues affecting the growth of the region through a comprehensive regional development strategy.

END