The Northern Regional Poverty Reduction Programme (NORPREP) has handed over six new Mitsubishi pick-up vehicles to selected district assemblies in the region.

The vehicles, valued at GH¢380,150, are to support the assemblies to intensify the monitoring and supervision of NORPREP projects and facilitate their early completion in the beneficiary districts.

The beneficiary district assemblies are Bole, Zabzugu-Tatale, Savelugu-Nanton, Tolon-Kumbungu, Kpandai and Chereponi.

Handing over the keys of the vehicles to the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, the NORPREP Programme Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Ahmed, stated that the cost of the vehicles included a
comprehensive insurance package of GH¢17000.

According to him, three more vehicles had been given to the Northern Regional Programme Support Unit.

Mr Ahmed expressed the hope that the beneficiary assemblies would regularly service and maintain the vehicles.

He warned that the NORPREP would not hesitate to withdraw the vehicles for "gross abuse".

"The development goal of NORPREP is to improve the livelihoods and living conditions of poor rural communities, with emphasis on women and vulnerable groups, through the deepening of rural development services," he stressed.

He said NORPREP had two programme components- capacity building and community development, dding that the vehicles woe pact of the capacity building intervention of the programme.

Mr Ahmed stated that NORPREP’s support for the districts had been made in phases, saying the Yendi, East Gonja, West Mamprusi and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba districts got their vehicles in 2008.

Mr Mabengba expressed gratitude to NORPREP for the intervention and cautioned the beneficiary assemblies against abuse of the vehicles.

"You   must   ensure   that   these vehicles are used for their intended purpose; that is, you must not use them for your personal needs, such as the performance of wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies and funerals," he warned.

The District Chief Executive for Kpandai, Mr Jatoh Jasper Moayi, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to take good care of the vehicles and ensure that they were used to help achieve targets in the implementation of the NORPREP programmes.

DS