The Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Northern Region have been charged by the Regional Minister, Mr Shani Alhassan Shaibu, to effectively and efficiently monitor and evaluate all on-going government projects in their respective areas to ensure value for money and that the projects meet the required specifications and completed within schedule.
He has also urged the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to create an enabling environment for the Citizens to go about their socio-economic activities devoid of security threats.
“I therefore urge all Hon. Members of the Council and technocrats from the various sectors to make commitments in ensuring the effective and efficient utilization of government resources to the benefit of our people.”
The Minister emphasized, “As people entrusted with public offices and resources, we should always endeavour to create very conducive atmosphere for the citizens to go about their socio-economic activities devoid of security threats.”
“I wish to therefore assure the Council and the good people of the region that, we will ensure the effective and efficient monitoring and, evaluation of all government projects to ensure value for money and that, projects meet required specifications and completed within schedule” he reiterated.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu made the statement when he addressed stakeholders from the local assemblies, departments and agencies and development partners at the Regional Coordinating Council last Thursday (September 29, 2022) in Tamale.
Agenda 111 Projects
The Minister on the health sector said as part of measures taken by the Akufo-Addo government to strengthen the health sector and make health care delivery more accessible to citizens, the Northern Region is benefiting from eight (8) new district hospitals under Government’s Agenda111 Flagship Programme.
The beneficiary districts and municipalities under the Agenda 111 projects include; Mion, Wulensi, Kpandai, Saboba, Kumbungu, Nanton, Savelugu and Sagnarigu.
Mr Shani indicated construction works have started in most of the districts whilst others are yet to commence but stated all these projects are expected to be completed and ready for use by December, 2023.
Award of Contracts
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region during the meeting called on the Regional Minister to liaise with the Minister for Roads and Highways to ensure they are informed when road projects are awarded for construction.
They lamented bitterly that as representatives of President Nana Akufo-Addo in the MMDAs, they are unaware especially about some on-going road projects within their jurisdictions – a situation they stated without hesitation makes them look stupid in the eyes of their people.
“You will just be there and before you realize a contractor comes to your district and start working on a road without your knowledge. They will not even have the courtesy to visit the assembly to inform you as the DCE; and we complained this to the sector Minister and he promised this will stop but nothing has been done – sometimes when the people ask and you’re unaware, it makes us look stupid” MCE for Nanumba North, Abdulai Jacob stated.
