DBI: FORMER DCE INVITES INCUMBENT FOR A DEBATE ON INFRASTRUCTURAL RECORD

The former District Chief Executive, Hon Fedelis Zumakpee, has called for a debate between him as the former District Chief Executive and the incumbent, Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda on the infrastructural record of the NDC and the NPP.

He threw the challenge while addressing party folks at the inauguration of zonal b and branch campaign teams of the National Democratic Congress held separately at Daffiama, Bussie and Fian respectively on Sunday, 30th August, 2020.

The NPP has been touting itself as having performed better than the NDC in the area of infrastructure. They have portrayed the current District Chief Executive cum Parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party as the best ever for the Daffiama, Bussie, Issa.
The former DCE has started correcting those misleading conclusions and putting forward incontrovertible facts on what was done under his leadership.

He catalogued a number of infrastructural projects that executed during the NDC regime. Among many others, he pointed at Dakyie CHPS, Worgbere CHPS, Sazie CHPS, Jolinyiri CHPS, Duang CHPS, Owlo CHPS and added that “the list goes on and on.” He said the NPP has virtually nothing to show because the Kamahegu CHPS and Pulbaa CHPS are both the initiatives of the NDC.

The former DCE also touched on energy. He touted his record of extending electricity to all major communities, leaving some few areas to be extended to. With the over 95% electricity coverage record, he wants to know what the NPP has done. He lamented that even streetlight that was connected to communities like Fian, Bussie, Daffiama, Issa, Kojokperi and others, nothing has been added to that, no repairs have been done and many of the streets are back to darkness. "Even streetlights that we provided and made these communities bright, have they been able to maintain them? Is it bad to work on the spoiled ones?" He quizzed!

Issues of roads, sanitation and education were also touched on. He said, the facts must be laid bare for further scrutiny. He indicated his readiness to debate Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda anywhere and anytime.
 He says the records indicate that the NPP has done very little as compared to what was done during the NDC.

BACKGROUND
The Daffiama, Bussie, Issa District was created by the National Democratic Congress government in 2012. Daffiama, Bussie, Issa was formerly under the then Nadowli District.

To ensure that development was equitably shared to the people, the government carved the DBI out of the Nadowli District. The District started full operation by 2014 with its District Capital at Issa.

Indeed, there were no offices or structures at the commencement of its operation. Some classrooms at the Issa primary school were used as offices with the first District Chief Executive as Hon Fedelis Zumakpee.
By the end of 2016, enough structures had been built to enhance the operations of the Assembly. Particularly, bungalows for workers, a multi complex Assembly Office, National Health Insurance Office, among others, were provided.

In 2017, there was a change of government and Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda took over as the District Chief Executive. Currently, Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda is also the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Daffiama, Bussie, Issa.

 Many believe that Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda has been leveraging incumbency for political advantage. He is reported to be arrogating and appropriating to himself, every initiative undertaken by the District Assembly.
Perhaps, the reason why Hon Fedelis Zumakpee wants to set the records straight on who has done what.

There has not been any response from the Hon Nadi Imoro Sanda yet, but many anticipate an interesting debate from the duo.

Denis Andaban
denisandaban@gmail.com