Minister of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Dan Kwaku Botwe, has said there is available funds to see to the completion of all projects under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) currently ongoing in some municipalities in the country.

He gave the assurance at separate sod-cutting ceremonies in the Bono Region and insisted that measures are in place to process payment documents and release funds timeously to contractors to deliver within the scheduled period.

Out of the 35 municipal assemblies across the country benefiting from the grant in its 3rd phase, three are in the Bono Region - Sunyani, Berekum East, and Dormaa Central Municipalities.

The minister explained that the increasing level of rural-urban migration meant the government had to look for a different development grant to meet the developmental needs of the people, hence the Secondary Cities Projects to expand infrastructure and improve services in the municipalities.

Mr. Botwe said the government had secured a 245 million dollar Urban Development Grant (UDG 1-5), funded by the World Bank, to execute the projects, including markets, stores, drains, and roads.

"The money is there. It is under lock and key. We are not going to look for loans to pay contractors. No," he assured the chiefs and people of the three municipalities.

"All the projects we have started, be assured that we will finish them within the scheduled time since the availability of money will not be a hindrance," he emphasized.

"Even if the contractors want mobilization funds, we will do just that."

He further stated that the invoice of contractors could be processed and paid within three days.

Mr. Botwe noted that the projects under the UDG will not stop the municipalities from benefitting from other funds targeted at providing other developmental needs.

He, however, admonished the chiefs and people to keep a close eye on the progress of the projects as they did during phases 1 and 2 and further charged the consultants to ensure the contractor delivers quality phase III projects within the stipulated 12 months.

The Dormaa Municipal Tuesday Market will have the construction of 2-storey, 56-unit lockable stores, 14 unit open market stalls, a creche, a sanitary block, a mechanized borehole, fire hydrant, market and street lights, and pavements at a cost of 15 million cedis.

Nyame Bekyere in the Berekum East Municipality will also have similar facilities with pavilions and traffic lights but without the creche, at a cost of 14million cedis.

In the Sunyani Municipality, phase III will see the construction of a 500M storm drain at Sunyani Zongo-Abetifi and the construction of a 1.4km road from Jubilee Park to Petra Hotel.

The Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Ansu Kumi, explained that extensive engagement has been held with stakeholders to transform the old refuse dump near the drains - a hideout for criminals, into a place that could be used for social gatherings and create a healthy environment for residents.

On her part, Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene said, "The projects reflect the key policies, programs, and framework of decentralization aimed at addressing the needs of the people through local resource mobilization and participation".

She appealed to the contractors to make it a priority to employ some of the local people from within the communities as part of the labour force.

She, however, urged the local force to be diligent, truthful, and work hard when offered the opportunity and also appealed to the chiefs and people to extend all necessary support to help complete the projects within schedule.