This, according to him, will help bridge the yawning developmental gaps among districts in the region and render responsive social services to citizens.

Mr. Bukari said priority should be given to infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, water and sanitation, as well as enterprise development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WrNaTv6pPCPUP7oR36gVUte48rdAWsDr”]He noted that assemblies could initiate and execute game-changing projects that meet the needs of citizen without depending greatly on central government through strategic revenue mobilization at the local level.

Mr. Bukari urged Municipal and District Assemblies to initiate innovative strategies to generate local revenue by reviving their revenue departments to generate data on sub-district structures for revenue mobilization.

“We need to get data on buildings, banks, filling stations, billboards, and anybody doing business in the districts must pay rates to the assembly to propel its development,” he said.

As assemblies, we have so many responsibilities to perform and if we don’t do them, the public will blame us and we can only do that by improving revenue mobilization. So I urge all chief executives and coordinating directors to equip their revenue mobilization departments to realize this target.”

Mr. Bukari added that the Regional Coordinating Council will soon organize a forum to share experiences and best strategies that, when adopted, could increase the revenue of assemblies.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Prioritize 3 key projects annually – U/E Minister to MDAs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Rockson said most contractors tend to execute shoddy work when authorities that award them those projects demand ten percent of the contract sum as their share.

Speaking at a Regional Coordinating Council meeting in Bolgatanga, Mr. Rockson said, the practice does not only promote the execution of substandard projects but also causes financial loss to the state.

“Contracts awarded are tinted with corruption and favouritism and do not serve the national interest, as awards may go to incompetent non-performances,” he said

“The expression ‘ten percent’ is synonymous with corruption. In line with President Nana Addo’s vision to fighting corruption, I have from the scratch public declared at Tender committees, Heads of department meetings and other public events ‘Operation no Ten Percent’ and all contract awards must go to credible contractors without political affiliation. This will ensure quality execution of projects or service to the people and to further ensure value for money.”

Mr. Rockson hinted that the Jubilee Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre has been designated as the region’s passport office and is likely to commence operations in 2018.

He also hinted that government will procure vehicles for all assemblies and regional coordinating councils for administrative purposes.

Mr. Rockson tasked all municipal and district chief executives to target three projects for effective implementation and completion.

The Regional Coordinating Director Alhaji Mahamadu Azonko expressed the commitment of all Municipal and District assemblies to supporting the execution of government’s programmes and policies.

He stressed that the Regional Coordinating Council will strengthen its monitoring and evaluation of the performance of MMDAs to ensure that they deliver quality social services to citizens.

The meeting was attended by Municipal and District Chief Executives, coordinating directors, heads of security agencies, heads of state agencies and other stakeholders.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, this will reduce the region’s alarming rate of open defecation.

He said the damming reports of the region having placed first conservatively in open defecation needs a radical approach to reverse the situation.

Mr. Rockson disclosed this during the Bolgatanga municipal town hall meeting.

He said until sanitation offenders are arrested and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies, the region may suffer communicable and airborne diseases.

“Another area I wish to draw the attention of our people to is open defecation especially in Bolgatanga and the region at large. Our region is rated the last nationwide by a UNICEF report on sanitation because we do not have household toilets and therefore we do it anywhere.”

“While assemblies in other regions are struggling to attain 50% of their target in sanitation the Upper East hits 130%. We cannot relax on this and we have to take stringent measures to correct it. I am tasking all assemblies’ to form task-forces to arrest those who defecate openly and send them to court for prosecution.”

“We are also giving landlords who do not have toilets in their house three (3) months to provide them or have their houses locked up. People should report such landlords to the assembly’s sanitation unit because you will be disgraced before the whole world if you are found defecating openly.”

Mr. Rockson impressed on the citizenry to honour their tax obligations to facilitate the development of the municipality.

He also urged the citizenry to report revenue collectors who intend to milk the state to the police, adding that, people should  insist on receipts for any transaction they carry out.

Mr. Rockson entreated all and sundry to embrace the many government programmes such as the Free SHS policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, one district, one factory among others, geared towards ameliorating the suffering of Ghanaians, and contribute their quota to help government succeed.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This is according to Chief Resident Engineer of Queiroz Galvao construction limited, Engineer Francis Hammond.

Mr. Hammond disclosed this during a working visit by the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari to assess the progress of work done on the road on Monday 15 August 2017.

Mr. Hammond said, about 12 percent of work has been done eight months after the contract was awarded by the NDC government in 2016, adding that, 20km of the road has been completed and opened to the public.

“The work starts from kilometre Zero thus from the Bolga-Tamale main traffic light roundabout and ends at Pulmakom which is about 110km but we are leaving out 13km between Bolga and the Red Volta because that portion was awarded to MAWUMS construction limited.”

“About 2.5km dual carriage portion from Kilometer Zero will be asphalted but the rest of the road is all surface dressing thus the application of three layers of bitumen and chippings with a thickness of 25mm.”

“We have tarred 20km of the road which is opened to the general public but the challenge is the use of the road by the motoring public. We have put signs along the road warning motorist and drivers not to speed more than 50km per hour but this warning more often has been overlooked,” Mr. Hammond stated.

He also appealed to drivers whose vehicles break down on the road to move their vehicles off the road.

Upper East Regional Director of Highways, Mr. Philip Samini lauded the quality of work done so far and urged them to patch some potholes along the road to enhance easy movement by vehicles plying the road.

Mr. Samini who could not fathom why MAWUMS construction limited since the award of the 13km stretch of the road from Bolga to the Red Volta in 2016 has not commenced work.

He recommended the contract be terminated if possible to a more serious contractor.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari commended Queiroz Galvao construction limited for work done on the road and urged them to work within schedule.

He reiterated that his outfit in consultation with the Ministry of Roads and Highways will decide the termination of MAWUMS construction limited since they have proven incapable of executing the contract awarded them.

The project is however scheduled to be completed in 2019.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 20km of Bolga-Bawku road opened appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Out of the number, 9,821 are males, while 10,050 are females writing in 79 examination centers across the region.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari Ayine, accompanied by the regional director of education, Jane Sabina Obeng, visited some examination centers on Monday [June 6, 2017].

Rockson Bukari impressed on the candidates to answer the questions independent of other people’s assistance.

He also urged the students to eschew all forms of examination malpractice.

He said government was committed to improving the educational system of the country particularly the transition from Basic education to Secondary education through its Free SHS policy.

Mr. Rockson admonished the candidates to work hard and excel in their exams in order to benefit from the free SHS policy which begins this September.

The regional minister visited the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School (BOGISS), Bolgatanga Technical Institute(BOTECH) and the Zuarungu Senior High School examination centers.

For her part, the Regional Director of Education, Jane Sabina Obeng, expressed satisfaction at the turn of events on the first day of the examination at the centers visited, adding that, measures are already in place to check the incidence of cheating in the examination.

Some candidates after their English paper told Citi News they did not have a tough time answering the questions and were hopeful that the subsequent papers will be better.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Over 19,000 sit for BECE in Upper East region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, he made the allegations out of “extreme anger and provocation”.

[contextly_sidebar id=”QV3lCZwoMM9nurKQsDGC8TP9tLDfbUF1″]Bugri Naabu in an apology letter to the party and Ghanaians, said he apologized for the “unfortunate exchange of words between my good self and Otiko Djaba. I repeat unreservedly that, such conduct would never be repeated. It is my sincere prayer that, I would never repeat such a conduct again.”

“I do not have any proof or evidence to support those allegations… I very much regret the embarrassment and inconvenience caused to the leadership of the party and the country as a whole,” he said in the letter.

There has recently been a war of words between Bugri Naabu andOtiko Afisa Djaba.

After claims by Madam Otiko to the effect that Bugri Naabu was receiving gifts from persons with the promise of securing appointments in public office for them, the latter, alleged that Madam Otiko and Rockson Bukari were “deeply involved” in the murder of the former NPP Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

The NPP, which has described as disappointing the fracas between the two, convened an emergency National Council meeting that caused the two to apologize to each other and members of the party.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bugri Naabu has in a separate letter to the Regional minister, Rockson Bukari, said the allegations he made against him were “a slip of tongue” as he had no ill-intent towards him.

Mr. Bukari was quick to deny any involvement in the death of the late Chairman, when Mr. Naabu made them earlier this week, and gave Bugri Naabu 48-hours to retract the allegations or face a lawsuit.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post I’ve no evidence for murder claims – Bugri Naabu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News, Rockson Bukari said, he went to the Gambibgo village to greet a bereaved family but was welcomed with insults and abusive words from Nuhu without provocation.

According to him, he chose not to react but reported the actions of Nuhu to elders of the family.

He added that, Nuhu subsequently attempted to fight him but family members at the funeral grounds intervened.

“So considering the situation and the threats and insults rained on me by Mr. Nuhu Mahama, I had to call on the police for his arrest and interrogation on why he did what he did. so he was arrested and detained for several hours but was granted bail,” Mr. Rockson stated.

Nuhu Mahama accused the Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari of using his office to get revenge against him for disrespecting him (Rockson Bukari) when the NPP was in opposition.

He again accused the minister of verbally abusing him when he went to the minister’s office with his contract certificates to the signed for payments, but Rockson Bukari denied this, saying Mahama was seeking to disgrace him.

The Minister however said the allegations were untrue.

“When Nuhu brought his contract certificate to my office I signed them for him but I still don’t know what he has against me and cannot trash them out with me. Even if Nuhu cannot confront me, we are one family and our elders are there to listen and resolve any problem he has with me,” he told Citi News. 

Meanwhile, Nuhu Mahama Akalbila, who was later granted bail at the Bolgatanga Municipal police station has apologized to Rockson Bukari for his actions.

He was in the company of some party elders in the area when they visited the minister to seek forgiveness.

Nuhu, who was on his knees, holding the feet of Rockson Bukari, promised not to repeat his actions.

Mr. Rockson Bukari accepted his apology saying that even though he was fallible, he expects that anyone with problems with him addresses him privately and not rain unpleasant words on him in public.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Regional Minister orders arrest of late Adam Mahama’s brother appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.