Lack of data, absence of logistics affect TWMA — MCE
The delay by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) in releasing some assets and documents needed by the newly established Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA) has been identified as one of the major factors inhibiting the effective and successful take-off of the new assembly.
The Tema West Municipal Chief Executive, Mrs Adwoa Amoako, who disclosed this at the First Ordinary General Assembly Meeting held last Wednesday, noted that the lack of adequate data and logistics such as official residential accommodation for management and senior staff members, operational vehicles, sanitation and waste management equipment which it should have inherited from the TMA continued to pose a very serious challenge to the new assembly.
On the issue of official accommodation for management and senior staff members, the MCE said “It is of interest to note that this challenge exists in spite of the fact that several official bungalows and junior staff quarters abound in Communities Two, Three and Five under our jurisdiction but we are still talking to the TMA for the release of these logistics to us”.
She indicated that the inadequacy of office accommodation was demonstrated by the receipt of numerous requests for office accommodation from the Directorate of Education, Health, Physical Planning and Urban Roads, NADMO, Environmental Health, Business Advisory Centre, Youth Employment Agency and NaBCo, among others.
Development project
Mrs Amoako said since its inauguration in the first quarter of 2018, the TWMA was yet to take over the possession of about 14 planned and ongoing projects from the TMA. The projects were educational infrastructure, market facilities at Community Two, Sakumono, Adjei-Kojo, Klagon, Kotobabi, Community Four, Baatsonaa, among others
The challenges notwithstanding, the MCE said the new assembly was committed to delivering on its mandate even as they continued to pursue what rightfully belonged to them.
Revenue
Touching on revenue mobilisation and the financial performance of TWMA, the MCE said a total of GH¢1,735,402.09 was mobilised by the new assembly from May to September this year.
The amount accrued from basic rates, property rates, building permits, open space rentals, market tolls, lorry parks, sanitation permit, toilet fees, among others.
An amount of GH¢770,693.43 was also received from the District Assemblies Common Fund Secretariat for the first and second quarters of 2018.
She said the total projected IGF for 2019 stood at GH¢13, 969,409.76 and while its estimated total grant would be GH¢26,187,465.31.
In respect of permits for buildings, temporary structures, signages and advertising, a total amount of GH¢325,271.81 had been generated by the new assembly so far.
This she said clearly was an indication of the revenue potential within the jurisdiction of the new assembly, and that with the needed support to the various departments by way of logistics, the assembly would enhance its operations and meet the expectations of the people in the area.
Cooperation
Mrs Amoako whose 14-page sessional address touched on the various sectors of development plan, physical planning and development control, agriculture, health, education, security, sanitation and waste management, road improvement, among others, stressed the need for cooperation and unity among all assembly members, departmental heads, traditional authorities, and all other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the programmes that will inure to the benefit of the society.
During an open forum, Nii Botwey Laryea, Dzaasetse of the Nungua Traditional Area stressed the need for equitable distribution of development projects in the new district. His counterpart from the Tema Traditional Council, Nii Adjetey Agbo, Mankralo, admonished leadership of the new assembly to constantly consult the traditional authorities before embarking on projects in the municipality.