PBC GIVES TO CENTRAL GONJA FLOOD VICTIMS (BACK PAGE, NOV 11, 2010)

THE Produce Buying Company (PBC) has presented relief items worth GH¢25,000 to the Central Gonja district of the Northern Region to support persons affected by floods due to the overflow of the White and Black Voltas.
The items comprised 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of maize, 50 bags of sugar, 60 cartons of cooking oil, 50 mosquito nets and 25 bails of clothing.
The items were presented by the Deputy Managing Director of Operations at the PBC, Mr George Kwadwo Boateng to the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr San Nasamu Asabigi and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Central Gonja, Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe in Tamale.
Mr Boateng noted that the PBC got alarmed when it heard reports of the damaged caused by flooding in Buipe and other communities in the district and that the company began to strategise on how to support the displaced persons to enable them cope.
“We therefore thought it wise to put together this package to help alleviate their suffering and also show the company’s concern for their welfare,” he stated.
Mr Boateng noted that the PBC was in the process of setting up the shea nut processing factory in Buipe, adding that the processing plant would be completed by end of the year.
“The plant would be processing 40,000 tonnes of shea nut into 15,000 tonnes of shea butter,” he mentioned.
Mr Asabigi commended the PBC for endeavouring to support flood victims in the Central Gonja district and noted that the gesture demonstrated how prepared the company was to undertake responsible business in the region.
“You have not started operations yet, but you have demonstrated your willingness to honour your corporate social responsibilities to the communities,” he said.
The Central Gonja DCE gave the assurance that the items would be distributed to the affected persons in a fair manner, adding that the assembly had set up two committees to see to various issues regarding the flood disaster.
He explained that whiles one of the committees was responsible for overseeing relief operations and reconstruction, the other committee was taking a look at health, education and environment in relation to the disaster.
The DCE said the district would support the operations of the PBC, when the shea nut processing plant kick-starts in Buipe, adding that all bottlenecks would be addressed with urgency.
The Central Gonja district is one of the areas in the country worst affected by the floods. Two persons died due to the floods and over 25, 000 people were displaced. The number of houses that were submerged was also estimated to be around 3000.