body-container-line-1
29.07.2018 Regional News

Poor Revenue To Blame For Poor Infrastructure In Nkoranza North

By GNA
Poor Revenue To Blame For Poor Infrastructure In Nkoranza North
29.07.2018 LISTEN

Poor revenue generation is affecting infrastructural development in the Nkoranza North District Assembly of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Authorities say construction work on many on-going physical infrastructural projects have stalled due to lack of funds.

Such projects comprise of health, education and social facilities.

Mr Anthony Afari, the Budget Officer, said the Assembly was able to raise only GH¢118, 82.00 from January to June and this was made internally.

The amount was generated from property, sanitation and basic rates as well as licenses, fees and building permits.

Speaking at the town hall meeting organised by the Assembly at Dromankese, Mr Afari appealed to the people to pay their taxes and rates for the Assembly to generate enough revenue required for development.

He said the Assembly has set a revenue target of GH¢ 200,000 for 2018.

The meeting was attended by assembly members, traders, artisanal workers, market women, charcoal burners and sellers and timber operators.

It was organised by MIHOSO international in collaboration with Search for Rural Development, non-governmental organisations through Star Ghana small anti-corruption grant project the two NGOs are implementing in four Districts in Brong-Ahafo.

Being funded by the European Union (EU), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID), the project is benefiting Nkoranza North, Sene West, Kintampo South and Pru District.

The project seeks to promote transparency and accountability, as a means to reduce corruption in the district.

Mr Afari said the Assembly has not received any quarter of the 2018 District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), a situation which has placed the assembly in a "tight corner".

He said the quantum of the DACF was also determined by the amount generated locally by the Assembly hence the need for tax payers in the district to pay their taxes.

Alhaji Gado Musah, the Nkoranza North District Coordinating Director, said it is the responsibility of the Assembly to organise such meetings every quarter but had not been able to do so due to lack of funds.

He advised the people in the District to support the Assembly with revenue collection as the Assembly ensures equitable distribution of development projects in the District.

Nana Danso Abeam, the chief of Dromankese, expressed disappointment that the town was lagging behind in development.

He said expressed unhappiness with the inaccessible roads in the town and appealed to the Assembly to put the Busunya-Dromankese road into good shape.

Nana Abeam said until the people in the area experience a certain level of development, it would be difficult for the assembly to generate revenue locally.

Mr Thomas Benarkuu, the Director of Programme, MIHOSO international, said the project was aimed at ensuring that the Assemblies engaged the citizens actively in decision making.

He expressed optimism that if citizens are actively engaged in the activities of the assemblies, corruption would be reduced and this could propel the development of the District.

body-container-line