Vice President Aliu Mahama at the weekend said government has plans to link the Volta Region to the Northern region by a first class road network to facilitate mobility, trade and commerce. He said the European Union was ready to finance the project as soon as feasibility studies and designs were completed for actual construction work to commence. Alhaji Mahama made this remark at an interaction with Chiefs, Elders and people of Kadjebi in the Volta region. The Vice President said government, under the leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor would equitably distribute development projects, irrespective of voting patterns or the availability of natural resources. He said this stance had resulted in the springing up of many development projects in all sectors of the economy, since the government assumed the reigns of political power. On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Alhaji Mahama announced that government was fine-tuning the scheme by removing all bottlenecks and bureaucracies, which hitherto undermined its smooth operation. He said the Scheme had come to stay and urged the public to embrace it. On the second oil discovery, Alhaji Mahama said what was needed now was peace as "we can see prosperity staring in our face. Let us work together as a people with one destiny, let us grasps it". He said the Kadjebi district was a recipient of government's numerous development projects, including the upgrading of the Kadjebi Secondary School to an endowed status, which was hitherto left unattended to, since its construction in the 1960's. He promised that the bridge over a tributary of River Oti at Dodo Fie would soon be awarded on contract. Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister said work on the district capital roads was progressing steadily including the Kadjebi town roads with the Jasikan-Bodada road network being tarred. He cautioned contractors working on projects in the region, especially roads works that, his administration would not compromise on quality work and would sanction such recalcitrant ones. Mr Dzamesi praised Ogyeabour Akompi Finam, Omanhene of Kadjebi for his leadership qualities, which had won him national honours, including the Order of the Volta. Ogyeabour Finam, commended government for its resolve to develop every part of the country, irrespective of political affiliation, adding that the district had witnessed unprecedented construction of school infrastructure. He said at least 40 school blocks had been constructed and expressed optimism that the Kadjebi-Nkwanta stretch of road, which had been awarded on contract would be completed in earnest. He appealed to government to construct a district hospital in the area to rationalize the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as patients usually sought medical treatment from neighbouring districts and called for the expansion of telecommunication facilities in the area. The Vice President's entourage included Mr. Isaac Edumadze, former Central Regional Minister, Togbe Kpankpadriku II, Member of the Council of State and Mr. Kenwuud Nuworsu, Volta Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party. Source: GNA