Government provides dams for Mandari and Kiape communities
The Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) now Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) is constructing two dams for the Mandari and Kiape communities in the Bole district of the Northern Region at an estimated cost of GHc8 million.
Both communities have the potential for vegetable production as well as rice and tomato, which could be produced during the dry season to improve the living standards of the people.
Officials from the EXIM Bank and the Irrigation Development Authority at the weekend introduced the contractor to the chiefs and people of the two communities and handed over the construction site to him to commence work.
Speaking at separate durbars of the chiefs and people of Kiape and Mandari, Alhaji Yussif Sulemana, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Bole-Bamboi constituency said government recognized the importance of dry season farming to the economic development of the two communities, hence the need to provide the dams.
He said the NDC government would not relent in its efforts to address the needs of the people, especially the rural poor. “It is when you create the survival opportunities for those in need that you will receive God’s blessing”, he added.
He appealed to the chiefs and people of the areas to support the contractor to execute the work satisfactorily, and gave the assurance that government would provide other projects that would help address poverty in the area.
He stressed the need for the constituents to vote massively to retain the NDC in the December polls to continue with its good work. “Every president in Ghana since 1992 had served an eight year term so let’s support John Mahama to also serve eight years”, he said.
Mr Wilson Darkwa, the deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Irrigation Development Authority said the two communities had the potential to produce enough vegetables for local consumption and export.
He said the construction and upgrading of the Tamale Airport into an international Airport would give farmers ready market for their vegetables, and indicated plans were in place to construct canals at the two dams to increase production.
Dr Barfour Osei, CEO of EXIM Bank in a speech read on his behalf, assured the people of the bank’s readiness to support communities with the potential of becoming business hubs.
He gave the assurance that the Bank would consider all proposals by the Irrigation Development Authority and would not hesitate to approve those that had the potential of creating and growing businesses.
Source: GNA