By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, July 07, GNA – The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) has held its first expanded meeting this year to assess its performance, identify challenges and develop practical solutions to improve governance and service delivery.
The day’s meeting, held at the NRCC in Tamale, was designed to give opportunities to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and key institutions with major development concerns and responsibility in the region to inform the house (NRCC) about progress made so far.
It was attended by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and their Coordinating Directors and Presiding Members, Heads of Department, Agencies and Units, traditional authorities, development partners and representatives of the media.
During the meeting, MMDCEs gave updates on the 24-hour Economy Market projects within their jurisdictions indicating that they were progressing on schedule and three of them could be ready for inauguration early next year.
Mr Illiasu Ewuntomah, Northern Regional Director of Department of Urban Roads also gave update on the Big Push Roads saying work was progressing according to schedule, while the Regional Security Coordinator, giving update on issues of security, said efforts were being made to address youth unemployment in the region.
Mr Elvis Demuyakor, Northern Area Manager of Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited updated the house on ongoing installation of new transformers and said many communities, especially those in Tamale had benefited from these installation resulting in improved power supply in the metropolis.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister reminded MMDAs of their role to drive inclusive development that responded to the needs and aspirations of communities.
He said “For this reason, I urge all MMDCEs to show leadership and work closely with the Presiding Members and the Coordinating Directors to strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure that development initiatives reflect the real needs of the people and communities in your districts.”
He called on Head of Department and Agencies to continue with the zeal and enthusiasm to work and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and efficiency in the discharge of their duties.
He assured the heads that the government remained committed to improving resource allocation to MMDAs across the country, and said it was evident in the current allocations of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Mr Sumaila Ewumtomah Abudu, Acting Northern Regional Coordinating Director, urged Heads of Department and Agencies, and all stakeholders to deepen institutional collaboration and embrace cross fertilisation of ideas to ensure that development initiatives remained inclusive, sustainable and truly impactful.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Audrey Dekalu
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