The Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi, Hon Elijah Adansi- Bonah has reiterated his readiness to protect the Public purse and ensure judicious use of the Municipal Assembly‘s resources. The young but enterprising politician made this pledge when he welcomed participants to a three (3) day stakeholders consultative Meeting on draft fee fixing Resolution for 2018 on Wednesday 27th September, 2017 in Obuasi.
The 2018 fee fixing resolutions was prepared based on new guidelines for charging of fees for the provision of services and granting of licenses and permit by MMDA issued in July, 2017 by the Ministry Of Local Government and Rural Development.
The Municipal Budget Analyst, Mr. Isaac Appiah Nsiah told participants, who were made of Chiefs, Assembly members Unit committee members and representatives of institutions and groups that, over the years, the charges of Obuasi have been very low and below the ceilings or limits allowed for Municipal Assemblies, hence the need to do a review.
Mr. Appiah Nsiah also revealed that revenue items such as; property rates, temporal structure permits, development fees and permit, Telecommunication mast ,rent on Assembly Buildings, Mortuary Operators, Bill Boards and Advertising License, Marriage and divorce, etc. were all reviewed upwards to enable the Assembly provide effective and efficient services to the people.
At the end of the three (3) days meeting, the following resolutions were made;
- There is the need for an immediate workshop for Assembly Members, Traditional Authorities and Unit Committee Members to iron out their differences for the purpose of effective revenue collection and deepening local governance.
- Effective public education and data collection are needed at newly developed areas.
- There is the need also, for the Assembly to resolve the impasse between the GPRTU and the Manager of Horsey Park Lorry Terminal. These would go a long way to boost the Assembly’s revenue generation at the lorry park.
- Funding of zonal Councils from the payments of basic rates, proceeds from Mechanized boreholes and pay as you dump refuse collection.
The three (3) days stakeholders’ consultative meeting ended on Friday, 29th September, 2017 with opportunities for participants to put forward their grievances to authorities.