The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has commended President John Evans Atta Mills for his performance so far and pledged its full support to enable his administration achieve its development objectives. "We recognise the peace and national progress that has characterised your leadership of the nation, and we offer you our support and cooperation," Togbe Afede XIV,President of the House said. Leading members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs who called on President Mills at the Castle in Accra last Thursday, led by Togbe Afede, described as remarkable the President's commitment to rapid development of the nation, and lauded the leadership qualities of the President. Touching on the purpose of the visit which was to thank the government for the attention given to the region, he said the chiefs and the people of the region were appreciative of the various developmental projects that have been initiated in the region. Among other things, Tobe Afede cited the cutting of sod to commence the construction of a public university in the region, as well as other ongoing infrastructural projects such as road construction, educational and agricultural related facilities. The projects, he said, were evident of the government's promise to ensure that all the regions had their fair share of national development for the benefit of Ghanaians. Making a number of requests, Togbe Afede appealed to the government to hasten the exploration of oil and gas in the Keta basin together with other mineral resources in the Volta Lake. In addition, he urged the government to extend the rural electrification project currently underway in the south to the northern part of the Volta Region. He requested for the establishment of a gas thermal plant at Keta, for the storage of oil and gas, lifted from the Jubilee Field and Nigeria for onward distribution. President Mills, responding, thanked the chiefs for their interest in the development of the region, indicating that most of their development concerns had taken centre stage at recent cabinet meetings. He gave the assurance that the government was committed to the construction of the Eastern corridor roads as part of efforts to open up the Volta Region to the rest of the country, and to boost economic activities in the region. He announced that the report of a delegation to China for further consultations on the promised Chinese Development Assistance for development projects in Ghana was ready, indicating that funds would be made available for more projects. President Mills thanked the chiefs for their faith in the government and assured them of interventions that would raise the standard of living of the people. He promised to have further interactions with them when he visits the region soon, as part of his nationwide tour, to see how best to enhance the cooperation between his administration and the chiefs. The President thanked the chiefs for having faith in the government, and assured them that his administration remained committed towards improving the lot of Ghanaians. Source: Ghanaian Times