9 key projects to be executed under SOCO phase 2 in Talensi
Nine key projects are expected to be pursued under phase two of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
Thomas Duanab Pearson Wuni, the District Chief Executive of Talensi, said this when he recently discussed the progress and plans for the second phase of the SOCO projects during an interview on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show.
According to Mr. Wuni Pearson, the nine projects would include Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, school projects, water and sanitation improvements, and boreholes.
He added that outside of physical infrastructure, there would be a Local Economic Development (LED) initiative aimed at empowering women in shea butter extraction and rice parboiling.
The Talensi DCE noted that the procurement processes for the projects are complete, with only final approvals pending before construction can commence. “We are done with the processes. We are just waiting for approvals so that we can award it and have contractors on site.”
He emphasized that these projects are tailored to meet community needs, a reflection of SOCO’s participatory approach.
“SOCO is community participatory. And what do I mean by that? We don’t just come and start putting up projects. We have three area councils. So the assembly members will meet with the area councils there. We have a team that will engage you. You tell us what your developmental needs are. So once we collect that data, we bring it back to the assembly and then we now look.”
According to him, the expectation is that these projects will commence by the end of August and be completed before the upcoming elections. “These projects will be delivered before we go to elections. I believe so,” he said.
Addressing challenges from the first phase, Mr. Duanab noted issues with labour payments but assured that lessons learned would expedite the current phase.
“Phase 1 had challenges because we had a problem with how we pay our labour.”
“Our experiences from phase 1 will hasten and expedite these projects in phase 2. We wouldn’t have those challenges again,” he stated. He expressed optimism that the new projects will significantly benefit Talensi. “We expect that this should translate and transform Talensi going forward.”
The projects and other initiatives by the NPP, according to Mr. Wuni Pearson, put the NPP in the lead ahead of the 2024 general elections. According to the DCE, the NPP candidate for the area, Robert Alibo, remains in pole position to lead the party ahead of the parliamentary election.
“We are prepared, but we won’t disclose what we are going to do to win. We will win, Inshallah.” Mr. Duanab further appealed to the residents of Talensi to continue supporting his administration, promising continued dedication and service. “I just want to beg the people in Talensi: Keep us in government and you will see the best of us. I am here to serve and they can see that. Keep us in government and we will continue to serve you,” he said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Ghana