KMA Hikes Litter Bin Rental

Following the approval of a new Fee Fixing Resolution for this year, the monthly payment of ?5,000 for litterbin rentals in first class residential areas within the Kumasi metropolis has been increased to ?25,000 per bin as refuse collection fees by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

The second and third class residential areas are to pay ?20,000 and ?15,000 per bin per month respectively.

These were contained in a statement released by the Finance Officer of the Assembly, Mr. Kwasi Agyaako Attuah, in Kumasi last week.

The daily market tolls paid by traders have been increased from ?300 to ?500 and the market store rentals have also been increased slightly by between ?1,000 and ?3,000, depending on the type and make of the store.

For instance, at the Central Market, occupants of 1947 open stalls who were paying a rent of ?8,000 per month last year would now pay ?10,000 under the new rates.

The new rates, which were discussed fully and endorsed by the Assembly on February 12, this year, have also increased the charges of occupants of "20 stores 'A' Downstairs" at the Asafo Market from ?16,000 paid last year to ?18,000 per month instead.

According to the statement, in order not to unduly overburden the residents, the Assembly thought it wise to effect only marginal increases in its rates and fines, in spite of the huge cost involved in running the metropolis.

The statement stressed that despite the status of Kumasi as a metropolitan area, the new rates and fines are the lowest in the country.

It therefore urged traders, hawkers and residents in general to promptly pay the new rates without any compulsion to enable the Assembly to generate adequate funds to cater for the growing infrastructural needs of the city.

Market porters would pay ?500 instead of ?300 and the market tickets for foodstuffs have also been increased across board by ?100.

As a result of this increase, one sack of cassava would now attract a market ticket of ?500, whilst beans is now ?700 instead of last year's ?600.

However, not every rate or fee was increased by the Assembly this year, as, for instance, lorry park tolls remained at their last year levels with that of Kejetia Terminal still pegged at ?2,000 and ?3,500 per taxi and mini bus respectively per day.

At the rest of the lorry parks in the city charges remained ?2,000 for trucks and buses and ?1,000 for taxis.

Traders, landlords, business operators and other professional associations who have doubts about the rates and fees were urged to contact the finance/treasury department of the assembly or the license section for clarification.

The statement warned people not to default in the payment of the new rates, stressing, "anybody or organisation which fails to settle its indebtedness to the assembly would be made to face the full rigours of the law."