GNA reported that prominent chiefs in the Zabzugu Tatale district have unanimously pledged to rally their support behind any mining company that Government would appoint to work on the Sheini iron ore project in the northern region.

Mr Yelzole Lana Salifu Lagfu, regent of Zabzugu, Mr Sang Lana MA Mahama, regent of Kworli, Mr Obore Gariba Yankosor II, paramount chief of Tatale Traditional Area and Mr Chamanye Poadi, chief of Sheini, as well as their elders and sub chiefs, made the pledge during a District Security Council meeting at Zabzugu near Yendi.

Mr Adam Abdul Samed, a representative of the Dagbon Traditional Council, was also in attendance to convey news of the deliberations to the regent of Dagbon, Mr Kapankuya Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani.

The chiefs submitted that their consensus of opinion was motivated by the potential benefits the iron industry held for the district in particular and the country as a whole. They added that the iron ore deposits in Sheini provided a tool for the accelerated development of the Zabzugu Tatale District.

They expressed gratitude to government for its intention to expedite action on the extraction of the iron ore deposit at Sheini and dismissed as false some allegations of insecurity in the District.

They declared that "The chiefs of Zabzugu Tatale District welcome any well wishers and investors who intend to do business in the district and assure all and sundry that there is absolute peace and harmony in the District."

In his remarks, Mr Umar Abdul Wahab, the district chief executive, who is also chairman of the DISEC, noted that chiefs wielded a lot of power and influence as landlords of their communities, and that their involvement was essential for the successful implementation of any program.

(Sourced from www.ghanaweb.com)