The Minister during the interaction
Residents, traders and other nationals whose activities are centered around Ho and other parts of the Volta Region will from next year travel by air as the Ho Airport becomes ready for use.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa disclosed this when he interacted with journalists in Ho recently. The interaction was to afford him the opportunity to update the region on issues arising from his recent tour of the entire region.
The airport which was initiated under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had its first phase; the runway completed and commissioned by former President John Mahama. Answering a question on the progress of work, the Regional Minister announced that the project was almost complete and with a few finishing touches the airport will be ready for use next year.
The Minister who was impressed with the level of goodwill and projects ongoing in the various districts across the region, was unhappy with the level of corruption and misuse of resources.
He therefore charged assembly members, staff and the Chief Executives to desist from such acts and ensure a prudent use of resources available to them.
He warned that anyone caught indulging any form of malfeasance will not be tolerated and will be made to face the full rigors of the law. He advised Chiefs and other opinion leaders to desist from intervening for such characters as such pleas will not be countenanced.
Touching on the poor performances of assemblies in the 2016 District League table, the Minister dismissed the notion that the region was poor and didn’t have what it takes to do well. He noted that although the 2017 performance saw a slight improvement, more ought to be done to elevate the fate of the region from that abysmal position come 2018.
Uncompleted Projects
Commenting of the many uncompleted projects littered across the region, he hinted that plans were underway to clear the gigantic debt inherited from the previous NDC government over arrears owed contractors working on the eastern corridor road. He was hopeful that the project which has exceeded its 2014 completion date will soon see some action.
He also re-affirmed government’s commitment to complete the dual carriage road from Sokode to Ho, the regional capital.
Other Developmental Projects
Dr. Letsa announced that government was working on the construction of landing beach at Anloga, the Keta harbor, and oil exploration also in Keta.
He cautioned against the over polarization of developmental projects in the region as it was stalling the progress of the Ho Market project, the abattoir project at Sokode, and the landfill site at Akrofo. That notwithstanding, he was optimistic that the Ho market would be opened to the public early next year.
From Fred Duodu and Collins Anku, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)