New Juaben stakeholders discuss proposed rates

The New Juaben Municipal Assembly on Thursday held a forum with key stakeholders in the Municipality to discuss the new rates to be introduced in 2014.

The forum gave the stakeholders which include various trade groups and associations, the opportunity to interact and provide their opinions on the new rates and fees to be charged beginning next year.

The proposed rates shall affect existing ones for building plans and permits, commercial, industrial and domestic buildings, rent of assembly properties as well as market tolls and artisan operational fees among others.

The increment on the new rates range from 10 to 50 percent depending on the nature of the business or enterprise.

Mr Korzie Sambo, the Municipal Coordinating Director, said the forum was to receive inputs from stakeholders who would be affected by the new rates and expressed the hope that the initiative would forestall any conflict between the Assembly and the stakeholders.

He urged the stakeholders to be interested in the programmes of the Assembly and meetings, saying they were public activities, which are opened to all to deepen democracy and the development of the area.

The participants at the forum thanked the Assembly for the opportunity given them to interact and contribute to the development of the Municipality and urged it to continue with such dialogues to erase the negative perceptions that others might hold about the Assembly.