The Paramount Chief of the Talensi traditional area Tongraan Kugbilson Nalebegteng has appealed to government to revamp the defunct Pwalugu tomato factory and also construct the Pwalugu hydro project in order to open up the area for vibrant economic activities and offer employment to many in the Talensi area.
The factory which has a daily production capacity of 500 tonnes with about 12,500 crates of tomatoes a day, has suffered low production due to the unavailability of raw materials and broken down equipment including its vacuum pumps which cost about 15,000 Euros as well as the canning equipment which also cost about GH¢ 49,000.
The factory was a major industrial economic venture for the region and was meant to reduce poverty and unemployment in the upper east region but stopped working due to what management have described as logistical constraints.
Addressing a durbar on Wednesday in Tongo to climax the celebration of the annual Daa festival of the chiefs and people of the Talensi traditional area, Tongraan Kugbilson Nalebegteng said revamping the Pwalugu tomato factory will open up economic activities in the Talensi area and provide employment to many people directly and indirectly.
“I wish to appeal to government to take seriously the issue of the tomato factory in Pwalugu and ensure that it is revived in order bring about jobs. Almost every day they talk about it but yet it is not been worked on. They should try and make sure it is revived to offer us jobs” he said
He added that the much talked about Pwalugu Hydro Dam project will create more jobs and open up the Talensi area to many more opportunities that will bring forth development. He urged government to attach some commitment to this initiative by making sure that it implements the project as expected.
He said “We have been told there will be a construction of a small hydro dam here, I want to appeal to government not to let it end only on talks but should try and construct the hydro dam to bring electricity and jobs so that things can get better for us.”
The Durbar which is the first of its kind in the traditional area climaxed the Daa festival celebrated by people of the Tong Nayiri and the Baare community. It involves the Yaung Dance by the people of Baare, Gingaung Dance by the people of Tongo and Sankpigi Dance which is danced by both communities.
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
