WORK BEGINS ON BAWKU ROADS (D/G July 3, 2008 PAGE 40)

The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), M. Abdulai Abanga, has cut the sod for work to begin on a total of 17.8 km of road at Bansi, near Bawku, in the Upper East Region.
The project, which is being funded by Irrigation Development Authority and the Community-Based Rural Development Programme at a cost of GH¢250,000, is expected to be completed in four months.
The roads are the 10.9 km Zawse–Bansi and the 6.9 km Azumsapeliga-Kikolonko.
According to the MCE, the project is in fulfilment of the government’s promise to re-construct the roads that were destroyed by floods last year.
Mr Abanga said when he assumed office as MCE he had road construction as part of his vision and so the construction of this project was a double vision that had been fulfilled.
He asked the chiefs and people to continue to preach peace in order to end the conflict situation in Bawku.
"As it stands now, if we do not stop the conflict, monies we could have channelled into building roads, schools, and irrigation facilities would go into peacekeeping," he lamented.
The Chief of Bansi, Naba Edward Atia, was full of praise for the government for ensuring the fulfilment of their promise to the people.
The chief said since 1970, when the Busia government constructed the roads they had never seen any rehabilitation and the situation became worse when the floods devastated the municipality.
"The roads had been unmotorable for a long time and it has been difficult to cart foodstuffs to the market centres. Also it was extremely difficult when transporting the sick and pregnant women especially to health centres but with the road construction, things would be much easier," he said.