The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama has tasked indigenous contractors to be diligent and perform quality work and deliver their contracts on time. "It is important for indigenous contractors to position themselves well in terms of technical know-how, financial management and investment in equipment", he observed. Alhaji Aliu Mahama was speaking at Agona Nyarkrom in the Agona District of the Central Region during the annual Akwambo Festival of the chiefs and people. He commended the people for embracing the National Health Insurance Scheme, saying in less than 19 months, the area has recorded 79 percent of the eligible population. The Vice President said the figure was among the highest in the country. "National Health Insurance Scheme is affordable and accessible, take advantage now because there is no better solution to your health needs”. Alhaji Aliu Mahama expressed the need for the country to aim at an integrated agriculture system with high yielding variety of export crops and staple food crops all year round, effective farm gate income, good storage and processing facilities and fresh and nutritious food to consumers. Nana Akkofo Katakyi Nyarko Eku X, Omanhene of Nyarkrom Traditional Area outlined a number of requests to the government, for immediate intervention. These include telephone facilities, police station and accommodation for personnel and tarring of the principal street of Nyarkrom. He also asked for dormitories and staff accommodation for Nyarkrom Secondary/Technical School and equipment of laboratory facilities for the town's health centre. The Vice President donated assorted drinks and 20 million cedis to the chiefs and people to facilitate the success of the festival. Akwambo is marked yearly to honour the ancestors of Nyarkrom who migrated from the Ashanti Region to settle in the area. A US-based couple, Mr. Samuel Owusu and his wife, who are citizens of Nyarkrom, donated drugs and equipment worth six million cedis to the local health centre. Source: GNA