The District Chief Executive of Talensi, Dr. Christopher Boatbil on Tuesday handed over five projects to contractors to begin work.
Among the projects are the construction of a CHIPS Compound at Awaradone, roofing of a 3-unit classroom block at Balungu Primary school, the construction of a toilet facility at Tongo market and construction of a new 3-unit classroom block at Kulpeliga Primary.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), who was accompanied by some staff of the assembly and officials from the district education office, interacted with the media after handing over the projects.
“I am please to be at the Balungu cluster of school with my team from the District Assembly and the contractor to go through the process of site possession. Indeed, as soon as the raining season began, I got a report from the assemblyman and the head teacher of this school that the rainstorm has ripped of the school, I had similar reports from Shea cluster of school so my team of competent workers in the assembly, the coordinating director, the engineer and some other workers we came together and trying to put these things in order, get the project advertised and so we have awarded it to a contractor to come and do the re-roofing and renovate the place”. He stated.
Mr Boatbil said it has been observed that the fewer number of trees on school compounds partly cause classrooms to get ripped off at the slightest rainstorm. He noted that planting trees around the various school structures is one of the measures that will minimize the impact of rainstorms on school building.
“Now, what we observed was that though the school has a few trees but is virtually bay and I believe that is the major factor, which is allowing the rainstorm to rip of the schools and so, what we have put as a measure is that currently the district assembly through a collaboration with the district Agric office and the forestry commission we have been able to provide 3000 tree seedlings and we have distributed them to all schools in the district.
“So we are expecting that if these tree seedlings are planted and they grow fast and they are also fast growing trees, it will reduce the impact of the rainstorm and the frequency of which our school roof is ripped off will be reduced”.
The Talensi District Education Officer in charge of Projects and works, Felix Danso who was present, expressed satisfaction especially with the urgent response shown by the assembly in making sure the projects is handed over to contractors to start work. He said the timely intervention will enable students learn effectively when work is complete.
He pleaded with the contractor to do a solid job for the school in order to avoid possible future occurrence.
Abu Salam is the contractor working on the Balungu and Shea Primary schools. He tells A1 Radio News his commitment to doing a solid job. He indicates work on the re-roofing and renovation will be complete when schools resume for the next academic term in September.
Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen|A1radioonline.com|Ghana
