As part of his working visit to Appiatse on Thursday, 18th August 2022 to abreast himself with the progress of work on the reconstruction of a green and modernized community, the Deputy Minister responsible for Lands and Forestry and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Team (ARIT), Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio engaged the various Assembly heads in the community over their role in the reconstruction process as the construction is about to enter the actualization phase.
Speaking to the project manager, Hon. Benito instructed that when the construction commences, and as a matter of urgency, he should ensure that a good number of security men are seen on site to deter intruders from trooping in and out of the site and also ensure the safety of the workers at the site.
Insisting on safety, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry asked that while on-site, the project manager ensures that contractors and their labourers abide strictly to safety protocols when they arrive on site.
“For instance, everybody must be in a helmet, you make sure they have safety boots and those who do not go by these should be quarried”.
He also tasked the manager to ensure proper and clear demarcation of the plots with caution tapes so as to avert a possible clashing of contractors as getting ready to commence their work.
He also asked that provisions be made for water, toilet facilities and other basic amenities to avoid delays and complaints from workers right from the beginning of work.
Addressing the Assembly heads, he noted that in terms of labour, every arrangement must come through the Municipal Chief Executive, saying that priority will be given to the indigenes who mean well and are serious to work.
“When all these works sets in motion, the contractors will be needing labours to work with and those who are ready and serious to work should join and we would gladly work with them with the standard payment for labourers assured”.
Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio reiterated the government’s commitment to building a Green and model Community, explaining that it is in the light of this green community concept that government will be employing the brick system for the structures.
He allayed fears of having small room sizes, stressing that the average room size which is 10 by 11 feet has been approved by the government and that is what contractors will strictly go by when they start.
Hon. Benito made the Rural housing team demonstrate the room size with blocks to have the assembly and workers appreciate the outlook practically. “This is a government building a new community for you, so please take notice, bare with us and act accordingly” he clearly stated.
The Assembly heads also appealed to the committee and Ministry to ensure a constant flow of information since a break in information could lead to unneeded controversy and doubts.
They however commended the government for the efforts so far to return the Appiatse community to normalcy since the unfortunate incident.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
