Assin-Fosu Assembly pledges to prosecute revenue defaulters

The Assin-Fosu Fosu Municipal Assembly has pledged to invoke the Local Government Act 936, Act 2016, section 156 to prosecute revenue defaulters.

It would initially embark on a special tax sensitisation campaigns to educate tax payers after which defaulters would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr. Nicholas Fiifi Baako, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) announced this in his Sessional Address at the first ordinary meeting of the Assembly.

He acknowledged the Municipality’s history of non-payment of property rates, building permits, and market tolls among other levies, and warned that the Assembly would activate the prosecutorial Act to punish defaulters and collect more revenue for projects to set the pace for rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development.

Touching on finances, he said, the Assembly projected a total revenue of GH¢ 725,650.00 during the 2018 fiscal year from its internal sources but was able to generate GH¢ 630,866.61 representing 87% of the estimated amount.

At the end of February 2019, this year, the Assembly had generated an amount of GH¢137,653.00 representing 16.6% of the projected amount of GH¢830,441.80.

In 2017, the Assembly generated a total of GH¢621,928.40 from its internally Generated Funds (IGF) out of the projected GH¢725,653.66, representing 85.70 per cent as against 67.94 per cent in 2016.

Additionally, in the first quarter of 2018, the Assembly mobilised GH¢189,400.32, a 20 per cent target of the estimated budget of GH¢943,472.00.

On District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the assembly received a net amount of GH¢424,706.80 as its share of the third quarter allocation of the 2018 DACF.

The MCE pleaded with Assembly Members to offer assistance to the revenue collectors any time they called on them in their various electoral areas to increase revenue generation to speed up development.

Mr Baako enumerated plans to step up economic activities in the area with the construction of an Artisan Village at Assin Nyankomasi by June this year as part of efforts to create employment and reduce poverty in the Municipality.

The Artisan Village estimated at the cost of GH¢131,886.30 would be funded by the Urban Development Grant (UDG) and expected to gather all Artisans in the area under one umbrella to attract the desired support.

Besides that, the MCE expressed concern about a number of stalled development projects due to lack of funds and stated that all efforts were being made to complete all projects.

Mr. Baako also reiterated the Government’s determination to improve on the road network in the area.

He called for cooperation, unity of purpose and understanding among members, to ensure rapid development of the Municipality and gave the assurance that the Assembly would put in place effective measures to cater for their welfare.