OPENEING PRAYER

The meeting was called to order at 12:41pm. This was followed by an opening prayer by hon. Michael Abotsi.

Chairman’s opening remarks

The chairman who was also the District Chief Executive welcomed the Members and heads of department to the meeting. He mentioned that he was very happy the meeting was organised to discuss issues before they presented to the General Assembly. He thanked members and urged them to contribute to the success of the meeting.

DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S BRIEF REPORT

Security

On security issues in the District, the Hon. DCE said the district was relatively calm and peaceful. He further stated the Police had intensified security in the district. he also mentioned that the Assembly was supporting the Police with fifteen (15) gallons of fuel every week to undertake night patrols at some serious crime (in particular, armed robber) prone areas in the district.

One District One Factory

On the above, the DCE said two (2) investors had submitted their proposals to invest in the district to the Presidency. They included meat processing factory and palm oil processing factory. He further mentioned that the meat processing factory proposal was approved earlier the year.

He further indicate that the District Implementation Committee of the ‘One District One Factory’ had met with the promoter of the meat factory and outlined the challenges he was facing as follow:

• High interest rate being charged by the Banks
• Unavailability of electricity at the project area

According to the Hon. DCE, with the palm oil processing factory proposal, the District Implementation Committee of the ‘One District One Factory’ was yet to invite the promoter for further discussion.

Planting for food and Jobs

On the above, the DCE mentioned that the Assembly had so far issued NPK, SoA, maize, rice, pepper, onion and cabbage seeds which had been subsidized by the government under the programme to farmers in the district.

Free Senior High School

Speaking on the above too, the DCE mentioned after the successful implementation of the programme in the 2017/2018 academic year, 715 students were placed in the Jacobu Senior high technical School in September but 594 students comprising 336 males and 255 females reported for the academic year, out of which 475 students were admitted into the boarding house and 119 day students.

He further mentioned that in order to boost attendance, the government

through the Ministry of Education is constructing a 1-story   girls dormitory block which was at the finishing stage and noted it would be ready for the start of the 2019/2020 academic year.

Also, the DCEs aid that the Tweapease Senior High School had been absorbed into the public school system, bringing the number of SHS in the district to two.

Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP)

On the above, the DCE stated that the Assembly had met with the various stakeholders in the district and identified their major needs and aspirations and had compiled same and submitted a report on same to the Ministry of Government Special initiative for approval.