MP calls for farm roads in Sissala area to be included in the EU-GAP MOAP road project
The Member of Parliament for Sissala West Constituency Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu has urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (UWRCC) to extend the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme in North Western Ghana ( MOAP NW).
The EU and World bank in partnership with the UWRCC and Ministry of Roads and Highways held a ground breaking ceremony to commence the construction of farm roads in 8 districts in the Upper West Region.
The project do not include roads in Sissala East and West and Wa East which kept tongues wagging.
In a communique issued by the office of the Sissala West MP, Mohammed Sukparu, it emphasized that the Sissala area is discriminated against insisting that the enclave is predominantly agriculture zone that deserves better.
It described the situation as gross discrimination and marginalization against the Sissala People.
“The Sissala West Legislator saw this as a pure discrimination against the Sissala districts.”
According to the communique, the legislator followed up to unravel the myth surrounding the gross discrimination and marginalization against the Sissala people.
“First, he immediately paid a visit to the chief Engineer at Feeder roads department in Accra who is a co-implementor of the project (Chief Engineer Babini). He explained that the criteria that was used is purely fair and strictly on the need assessment. He said the major key factor considered was the districts closer to the black Volta.“
“The idea was meant to open up roads leading to the black Volta where irrigation dams will be constructed and the black Volta will be opened up to water these irrigation sites. He said that contracts have been awarded already and that only the headquarters can Wade into our plight.“
“He further added that the sponsorship package will also come along with some dams and boreholes to be constructed and that Sissala West and East will be covered on that package. He said it was only the roads that we failed to qualify because non of our communities is closer to the black Volta.“ the statement revealed
The MP insisted that since the project was meant to open up farm access roads the Sissala area should have been considered.
The statement further said the legislator paid another visit to the department of Feeder roads in the region and met both the regional quantities surveyor and the regional roads engineer.
“They explained that they are only the implementing agencies and knows little about the project. They added that the selection was done at the Accra and contracts were also awarded.The refer the MP to the World bank project manager at the ministry of Roads and Highways.”
“The MP visited the World Bank project manager under the Ministry of Roads and Highways Mr George Addison. He said that the project is meant to open up farm access roads and the selection was done according to laid down criteria.“
“He added that a consultant was hired by name Sophrico consultancy in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture. He said it was this consultant who surveyed the region and came out with the selection.“
“He said it was unfortunate that this has happened to us.He also referred the MP to go to the chief Director at the ministry of Roads and Highways for further details and the way forward.“
“He again added that, the contract cannot be altered because everything is sealed. He however said that the other packages covers the rest of this Districts such as Boreholes, Irrigation dams and farm mechanized centers.“
“The MP could not hide his displeasure about the nature of events and said he will take the matter up with his people. He indicated that a press release would be made to this effect and a follow up until this injustice is withdrawn.“
