Nab Azantilow appeals for uniform pricing of building products

By Godfred A. Polkuu, GNA

Sandema (U/E), July 24, GNA - Nab Azagsuk Azantilow, the Sandem-Nab and overlord of the Builsa Traditional Area, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure that the cost of building materials remains the same in the north as they are in the south.

He said there is no doubt that poverty was extreme in the northern parts of the country saying “the people in the three regions live in a deficit housing environment, yet these poor people pay more for cement and other building materials than their brothers and sisters in southern parts of the country”.

He said while a bag of cement in Kumasi was GH¢30.00, same was sold for GH¢40.00 at Fumbisi in the Builsa South District, and said “generally the case of building materials in the north is more expensive than buildings of the same size down south.”

Nab Azantilow made the appeal when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paid a working visit to the Builsa District to inspect the Navrongo-Sandema-Wiaga-Fumbisi road, and to cut the sod for the construction of a new District Police Headquarters at Sandema, the Builsa North District capital.

The President on the first day of the visit, inspected ongoing construction works on one of government’s flagship programmes, one-village, one-dam, and performed the ceremony to signal the start of work on the Bongo-Balungu-Namoo-Zorko road in the Bongo District.

“I wish to appeal to you as the man of the people to ensure that the cost of building materials remains the same in the north as they are in the south” Nab Azantilow said.

Nab Azantilow said there is the need for government to establish depots in all three regions of northern Ghana so that cement would be sold at factory price to bring relief the people of the area.

He said the Builsa Traditional Council does appreciate government’s efforts to industrialize the country with the “One-district, One-factory policy, adding that “in appreciation of the bold move, the Traditional Council has donated a three-thousand-acre land for establishment of an industrial park.”

Nab Azantilow said the demarcated area has been captured in a site plan and presented to the District Assembly as well as the stool and skin lands secretariat in Bolgatanga and expressed the hope that government would respond positively to the gesture.

Nab Azantiliow used the opportunity to commend President Akufo-Addo for various programmes rolled out by government adding that “immediately after your victorious election, you found time to call on us on a thank you tour to which we were grateful.

A few months later, you demonstrated your love once more to the people of Ghana by abolishing the obnoxious fee-paying system with the introduction of the Free Senior High School programme, a purposeful educational initiative with the sole aim of developing the country especially the rural area.”

President Akufo-Addo said he was hopeful that the One-district, one-factory initiative would be able to accommodate the demand for depots in the three northern regions to supply building materials.

This, he said, would prevent the discrepancies in the prices of building materials across the country so that cost would be same across the country as was done with petrol and oil.

“I need the support of you the Naba as well as of the people of the Builsa area to stand strongly behind government as we continue to improve the infrastructure of our country.”

President Akufo-Addo said “it is my determination that in my time you will see the beginning of the light at the end of the tunnel in the country.”

GNA

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