COMMISSIONING OF EU-MICRO PROJECTS IN WEST GONJA

A 3 UNIT CLASSROOM BLOCK COMMISSIONED
20th August, 2009 By: Regina Atule, Damongo

A three unit classroom block under the European Union 6th Micro –Project Progrmme Phase 1 and 2 has been commissioned at Nabori in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.

In his address the DCE of the West Gonja District Hon. Adam Mutawakilu mentioned that, the task of the District Assemblies is to provide social amenities that would make the people of the area enjoy good life. This is however normally very difficult for the assemblies alone to do he added.

In the light of this he said, development partners had over the years come to the aid of the assemblies.
Hon. Adam said, the West Gonja District Assembly have been privileged to have the EU supporting them with some developmental activities including school buildings CHPS Compound, and Teachers quarters among others.

The DCE gave a brief account of the support the assembly has received from the EU for the 6th Micro Project Programme phase 1 and 2 as follows; (GH¢107,760.42) whilst the assembly and the communities contributed (GH¢26,940.11) which is twenty five percent of the total contribution for the construction of five projects in the district. He mentioned the projects as follows;

1. A 3 Unit Classroom Block at Nabori
2. A CHPS Compound at Achubunyor
3. A CHPS compound at Lingbinsi
4. Teachers Quarter at Mognori and
5. A Culvert at Murugu

Under the phase II he continued the EU supported the assembly with (GH¢125,750.71). The assembly and the communities also contributed (GH¢31,437.68) representing twenty five percent of the total cost.

The DCE mentioned the projects under taken during this period as follows;
1. A 3 Unit Classroom Block at Alhassankura
2. A 3 Unit Classroom Block at Achubunyor
3. A Nurses Quarter at Lanbonto

Not all, this component has also supported groups on income generating projects he added, saying at the moment, the component is supporting some groups in the district.

Among these groups he mentioned were Yelsuma women group, NSUA furniture, Ndenyi women group and Kagbamatu women group.

The DCE stated that, benefits of the EU Micro projects intervention to the district are numerous.

Apart from increasing enrolment in schools, teaching and learning has become conducive. Also, most communities can now get first hand contact with health personnel anytime the need arises he added.

He however said in some parts of the district, one cannot access the area during rainy season and this had forced them to centre most of the projects in a few areas since they are time bound.

He therefore appeal to the development partners to reconsider the district in this direction so that the whole district would benefit from their assistance.

On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of Micro Projects Management Unit (MPMU) Mr M.K Badu disclosed that, this project was one of 904 infrastructure projects constructed in six regions country wide namely Eastern, Central, Volta, Northern and the Upper regions for the period of July 2006-June 2009.

He further disclosed that, in the Northern region, total number of projects constructed is 159 at a cost of GH¢3,366,968.46) representing EDF component.

He said out of this, 7 projects were constructed in West Gonja which have been mentioned earlier. He also disclosed that, the programme supported 58 communities in 16 districts in the region with an amount of GH¢383,882.10 to implement income generating projects out of which 4 communities benefited in the West Gonja District.

Mr. Said the uniqueness of the programme is that the type of a project a community needs is determined by the community itself according to that community’s felt needs. Therefore projects are not imposed on communities by EU or the Government.

Mr. Badu remarked that, maintenance of the facility is very paramount and therefore urged the District assembly, Ministry of Education, PTA and school authorities to make provision in their expenditures for regular maintenance.

The occasion was witnessed by chiefs and elders, heads of departments, Hon Assembly Members, Civil society groups and the general public.