Wa Municipal Assembly collects 50 per cent of its revenue

Wa, March 08, GNA - Wa Municipal Assembly in the Upper West Region, last year realized 1.3 billion cedis out of its targeted revenue of 2.7 billion cedis representing 49 per cent of its revenue. The assembly is therefore, considering setting up satellite markets within the municipality to improve on its revenue generation. Mr Mac Adams Banda, Wa Municipal Chief Executive announced this in his report to the second ordinary meeting of the assembly at Wa on Wednesday.

He attributed the shortfall in revenue generation to the loss of previously viable markets that had now become part of Wa West and East districts.

Mr Banda said the assembly was also exploring new avenues of revenue generation that included the introduction of stickers for motorbikes, private cars, commercial vehicles, drivers and riders on yearly subscription.

The assembly is to privatise revenue collection from the Wa market since the assembly's revenue collection is not encouraging. Mr Banda said the decision to privatise revenue collection at the Wa market was based on the fact that most of the assembly's collectors could not bear the continuous harassment, intimidation and verbal assaults from the traders.

Mr Ibrahim Seidu, Presiding member of the assembly announced that last year, the assembly disbursed 195 million cedis from its common fund to some groups and individuals within the municipality. He appealed to the Government to extend electricity to communities within the municipality that had not been connected to the national grid.

Mr George Hikah Benson, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister appealed to the assembly to come out with strategies to sustain environmental cleanliness within the municipality. He reminded municipal and district assemblies in the region to prepare and submit their medium term development plans in accordance with the guidelines of the national development planning commission for early submission to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council. 08 March 06