By Gladys Abakah/ Francisca Cardinal
Takoradi, Sept. 10, GNA-The Assembly Members for Upper and Lower New Takoradi electoral areas in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region, have called on the government to prioritise community development to contribute to nation-building.
With that, the Assembly Members believed it would go a long way to help the decentralisation process towards achieving stronger economic growth.
In an interview with Madam Felicia Odoom, the Assembly Member for Poase Upper New Takoradi, she said development was paramount in every community, therefore the need to champion that course.
Speaking on the challenges faced by the community, she mentioned the inadequate supply of pipe-borne water as a major problem.
She said the geographical nature of the area on a hill had made it difficult for easy water flow to the various homes and institutions.
“We often resort to the use of well water and sometimes we have to purchase water from water tanker suppliers for the community,” she added.
On sanitary issues, Madam Odoom emphasised that the sanitation condition in the area was poor and needed urgent attention, adding that “Most of the community members indiscriminately dispose of their refuse, as well as defecate openly.
She explained that she had had several engagements with the people concerning the behaviour but to no avail and hoped that the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) would intervene.
Madam Odoom said she had been able to assist several street children to get back to the classroom as well as renovate the Catholic basic school in the area.
Mr Gilbert Siaw Afriyie, the Assembly Member for Lower New Takoradi, noted that youth unemployment is the major challenge confronting the area.
“Most of the children in the area take delight in fishing than schooling because they believe they generate more money from the fishing business than going to school as they perceive it to be a waste of time,” he said.
Mr Afriyie therefore pleaded with the government to bring on board new incentives and programmes that would entice the children to focus more on education rather than fishing.
He also appealed to the government to equip Assembly Members with incentives that would help in the discharge of their duties towards development.
The Assembly member said in collaboration with his unit committee members they had lobbied for the construction of an astro-turf, good road networks and a health facility among others in the area.
GNA