Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region have expressed displeasure at the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, for allegedly abandoning a resource centre project for persons with disabilities. Chairman of Persons with Disabilities Resource Centre in Tamale, Mohammed Seidu Chantimah stated at a news conference, the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry had directed the Assembly to use part of its District Development Fund (DDF) to complete the project. “But it appears the Tamale MCE, Alhaji Haruna Friday is adamant to carry out the directive”, Mr. Chatimah said. The project initiated under the Northern Region Poverty Reduction Programme (NORPREP), when complete, will provide avenue for capacity training for persons with disabilities in the Tamale Metropolis. The facility contains offices, conferences halls, showrooms and four bed rooms to accommodate trainees outside Tamale. Mr Chantimah disclosed the project was being funded by the World Bank under NORPREP, through Local Government and Rural Development Ministry. “Unfortunately, the project among others, was not completed before the duration of NORPREP elapsed. World Bank subsequently withdrew the funds”, he explained. However, the Local Government Ministry in a letter dated March 9th 2012, directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies implementing NORPREP sub-projects, to complete the projects with part of their District Development Facility. Mr Chantimah said his members cannot fathom why the project should be abandoned. “Our search shows that the Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities has remained the only NORPREP sponsored project yet to be completed”, he disclosed. He told Joy News, persons with disabilities in the Metropolis are losing a lot in terms of revenue, donor assistance and training opportunities because of the delay in completion of the project. “The location of our rented office is not disable-friendly, it is surrounded by gutters and other obstacles impeding movement”, he lamented, adding “the high rent being charged could have been invested in capacity training of members.” The Representative of Persons with Disabilities at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Salamatu Alhassan revealed to Joy News the Assembly has passed a resolution for funds to be released to complete the project. But the Tamale MCE, Alhaji Haruna Friday insisted the Assembly lacked enough funds to complete the project.