Samuel A. Jinapor, Lands Minister
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has assured the people of Apeate that the modern, green and sustainable community the government intends to build will be based on equity, fairness and justice.
The Minister gave the assurance when he paid another working visit to Apeate, together with the Apeate Reconstruction Implementation Committee, yesterday.
The visit was to, among other things, update the community on government’s roadmap to reconstruct the township and inspect some temporary structures earmarked to house the displaced people before the rain sets in.
Speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the community, the Minister disclosed that some uncompleted structures constructed by FGR, a private mining company operating in the region, to resettle the people of Dumase would be completed and made available to temporarily house the people.
“These tents cannot protect you from the rains so in the interim we have agreed with FGR to have you moved into their building while we settle on plans to begin the third phase, and that is to rebuild the community itself,” he said.
Transparency, accountability
Mr Jinapor assured the people that work on these uncompleted structures would begin as soon as possible, adding that all the monies accumulated from the Apeate Support Fund would be put to judicious use while ensuring transparency and accountability.
“We will ensure that all the monies being donated into the Fund are put to judicious use. I assure you that the community will be built on equity, fairness and justice, and all who owned houses, lands and shops will all have it restored to them and every single penny will be accounted for,” he added.
He said the government would ensure a restoration of the community as practical as possible, adding “we want to maintain the character of the place so that you can easily go back to your way of life, farming, selling, among others.”
He stressed that the Dumase temporary settlement would not be a permanent place for the people. He therefore warned that no one should claim ownership of the settlement, but rather move peacefully to the new township after completion.
Mr Jinapor said a block factory would be set up, as a matter of urgency, to mould blocks out of some 6000 bags of cement that had been donated for the rebuilding of the town.
Cooperation
The Minister also called on the people, particularly the youth, to cooperate and support the Ministry and government with works on the uncompleted structures and the main project yet to be embarked on.
“We are not asking for money from you, and we are not going to take any. What we expect from you is your cooperation and support by joining in the communal labour, helping to mould the blocks to be used for your own buildings, even without expecting monetary benefits,” he said.
During the visit, the Minister also inspected the Dumase temporary structures as well as the reconstruction of the road which was affected by the explosion.
The chief of Apeate, Nana Bremebi, expressed his appreciation to the government for all the efforts towards the rebuilding of his community, and urged his people to support the project and remain patient as the government executes the project.
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