The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has called on the chiefs and opinion leaders in the region to work together to prevent conflicts and maintain peace for development.
He said pockets of conflict in the region not only threatened the peace and security of the region but also hindered development.
Again, the minister stressed that the development projects the government had lined up to give the region a facelift and improve livelihoods could only be achieved if the area had relative stability.
“President John Mahama has not forgotten about the people of Oti Region and, for that matter, Nkwanta-North.
There are ongoing road projects in the region; all is set for work on the bridge across the Oti River at Dambai to progress, and many more interventions are being rolled out, but we need peace to see the benefits of these development projects,” he stressed.
Ukpalibor’s enskinment
The minister made the call at the enskinment of the chief of Bikpaliib, Ukpalibor Kofi Bajinpoan, at Kpassa in the Nkwanta-North District last Saturday.
The Paramount Chief of Kpassa, Ubor Konja Tassan VI, enskinned Ukpalibor Bajinpoan at a colourful ceremony on Friday, February 13, to have traditional jurisdiction over all Bikpaliib clans, a sub-group of Konkombas, in the Nkwanta-North District.
Following the successful enskinment, there was a Durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkwanta-North at which Ubor Bajinpoan was unveiled amid pomp and pageantry.
The ceremony brought together Konkomba chiefs from all parts of the country.
Development projects
Touching further on development projects in the region, Mr Gyapong said the Kpassa to Damanko section of the Eastern Corridor Road that was currently being paved would be tarred before the next elections in 2028.
Again, he said the deplorable Nkwanta to Dambai and the Jasikan to Nkwanta roads have been captured for construction under the government’s “Big Push” projects.
“As I speak now, Oti Region has been turned into a construction site.
The contractor who will construct the bridge over the Oti River has reported to site and work has begun in earnest,” he said.
Mr Gyapong also said a contract had been awarded for the construction of the Oti Regional Hospital at Dambai and the contractor had mobilised to site.
He also said a military barracks was being established at Dambai with an airstrip to help maintain peace in the region.
Commitment to peace
Ubor Konja VI said the installation of Ukpalibor Bajinpoan as a new chief was an opportunity for the chiefs and people of Nkwanta-North to stand united and work for the progress of the area.
He underscored the need for all persons to resort to peace in addressing development challenges and settling disputes.
“Disunity has never built any society, so I urge all of you to stand united and respect the rights of other people.
Let us look out for each other at all times,” he said.
For his part, Ukpalibor Bajinpoan said he would work closely with the Kpassa paramount chief to bring lasting peace to all parts of the district.
“I want to assure Ubor Konja VI that I will stand with you in all situations so that we can lead our people on the path of progress,” he said.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh