The Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu with support from Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) has handed over a total number of 32 buildings to some households as part of the ongoing resettlement exercise in additiion with a clinic and church bringing the number to 34 buildings constructed by GIDA in the Tempani District of the Upper East Region.
The benefitted communities are: Kugzua, Dagdiri Natenga and Anini Doari community in Tempani District.
Nearly 115.6 hectares of farmlands at Tempane and its environs in the Upper East Region were submerged following a torrential rainfall that caused the Tamne Irrigation Dam and its major tributaries to overflow their banks.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) Ing. Wilson Darkwah who doubles as the representative of the Agric Minister told Apexnews Gh that even though the journey has not been smooth due to some financial challenge, they have able to resettle most of the community members.
Asking whether all the aggrieved affected community members will receive their share of newly constructed houses, Ing. Darkwah said “unfortunately, it is not possible for GIDA to build houses for everybody in this area. GIDA is a subverted organization and we only get a budget for constructing the dams but it so happens that where the water is going to sit, there are still people living there and we cannot leave those people”.
“I am aware that people have fallen in love with the beautiful building and I want to encourage you that the contractor who build the houses has trained so many of the youth here, most of the labor he used to do these houses are from this area and therefore, they already had the technology to make these houses.
“We thank you for allowing us to come and do this dam here and also giving us the opportunity to relocate those whose house will be relocated. Ing. Darkwah told Apexnews Gh
However, Ing Jawad Adbul-Rakeeb General Manager Munisco LTD who was the contractor in charge of the construction of the resettled houses extended gratitude to community members especially the Dagdiri Natenga Chief.
He admonished members of the community to desist from attacking those working on the project and rather support the wonderful initiative.
“We want to express our gratitude to the community members and also to advice those of us who are in the community and instead of supporting the project, they will rather be finding ways to denigrate the project.” He said
Meanwhile, after a short ceremony organized in Kugzua community, the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu handed over the keys of the buildings to the beneficiaries.
“Our very hardworking Minister of Agric has promised that he is very much committed in making sure that the arable land which is the second phase after the rains, that he is going to develop all that area so that farmers will go there and continue the year-round farming and I think that is even the main problem apart helping the flooding area”. Hon. Yakubu said
Even though affected areas include Zambala, Bugri, Gagbiri, Gaago, Kugzua, Gella-kolgo, Napaadi, Arazim, Kugri, Kolsabuilgu and Zulli, 3 out of these communities were able to benefit from the relocation project.
However, benefitted community members expressed gratitude to the governance of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what they described as a ‘dream come through project’ “we pray that any obstacle that might hinder your efficient work be broken long before materialization”
“The community members are hopeful that work done so far will definitely reduce the high-level unemployment among the youth. Fishing and other farming activities will undoubtedly be utilized as good opportunities”.
They used the medium to request for the construction of a bridge on the Kugzua No1, “…the road serves as the only Kugzua No1 and No2. Due to the construction of the Dam, the water has extended beyond human safety cross and this had led to the drop out of school by people who can no longer access the only school which serves communities and even beyond”. They appealed
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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