TMA generates 31 billion cedis in 2003

Tema, May 25, GNA- The Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) generated 31 billion cedis as revenue in 2003 and has from the January to March this year, collected nine billion cedis.

This year, the TMA has targeted 60 billion cedis as revenue, Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) announced at the ordinary general assembly meeting at Tema on Monday.

He admitted that the revenue inflow for this year "has been slow in picking up" and that the assembly has intensified its public education on the rationale behind increases in rates and fees. He said TMA commends ratepayers and it would use tact to get them to accept and pay the new rates.

Mr Ashong Narh said from January to March this year, the assembly mobilised 9.64 billion and gave the breakdown as follows, internally generated fund, 3.672 billion cedis, District Assemblies' Common fund, 3.358 billion cedis while grants also brought in 2.03 billion cedis. He said this represents a little over 15 percent of the targeted 60 billion cedis while total expenditure for the same period amounted to 6.9 billion cedis.

He said therefore, that excess income over expenditure stood at 2.07 billion cedis, adding, "looking at the current trend of events, we are hopeful that revenue generation for the year would be successful". The MCE said in 2003, the assembly tackled 24 development projects on sanitation, sports and education and that they have either been completed or at various stages of completion.

The MCE said the increasing activities of land guards continued to pose problems for the assembly's staff and this was affecting developments in the municipality.

He said the assembly would fall on police and other security agencies to bring law and order into the system.

Mr Ashong Narh said in order to achieve the set goals the assembly members and zonal/unit committees should work hard to improve environment at Tema. 25 May 04