UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By: Masahudu Jinkor
The North East Regional minister Mr. Yidana Zakaria has said that the impact of the region’s share of the big SOCO project package has been great on the beneficiary communities across the length and breath of the young region.
Mr. Yidana who made these known in a recent media engagement at Nalerigu, the regional capital indicated that under the project substantial investments were made in key sectors of the local economy which directly impacted the well-being of the people in the year 2023.
According to the regional minister 9 schools were put up to ensure more children have access to quality education, 8 health facilities were also built enhancing healthcare services for the people, 9 rural market structures constructed providing opportunities for local traders and boosting economic growth in these communities, 2 rural roads were also constructed to facilitate better connectivity and access within the region.
In the area of water and sanitation he said 18 WASH facilities were put up for an improved hygiene and access to clean water in underserved communities in addition to the 4 youth development centres implemented offering valuable opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful activities and skills development.
These efforts he intimated have culminated in the 51 projects dotted around the North East Region.
In 2024 he said 89 subprojects were earmarked for implementation in the region as indicated below; 23 school infrastructure, 5 CHPS Compounds, 18 social infrastructure, 39 WASH facilities, a fire service bungalow as well as 3 equipment and other supplies.
Additionally, the minister said about 400 Common Interest Groups were expected to benefit from the Local Economic Development, LED Grant Model which would eventually benefit over 8,000 people of the region. Some of the notable activities of the youth engagement component he said would include youth parliaments and debates, intercultural dance displays, inter-cluster football competitions, youth sensitization and many interested youth program.
Mr.Yidana announced that award letters were being issued out and contractors were being taken to the various project sites for site possessions.
In a concluding remark, he said the SOCO project received unwavering support from the President and Vice President who doubled as the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, NPP. As a resulit of the success stories of the project so far the government was considering request for additional financing to expand in order to benefit the remaining 16 non-beneficiary districts in the six implementing regions of Ghana.
Source – gbcuraonline.com
