Ajumako (C/R), Dec. 26, GNA- The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Assembly collected only 280.1 million cedis in revenue out of a targeted figure of 638.3 million cedis estimated for the year 2006.

Mr Kenneth Obempong, the District Chief Executive, (DCE) who announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the fifth session of the Assembly at Ajumako on Friday, regretted that in spite of administrative strategies taken to improve upon revenue mobilization and strengthen the financial base of the assembly the situation did not improve much. Mr Obempong therefore appealed to members of the assembly to come out with appropriate and strategies to help address the situation. On the District Health Insurance Scheme, Mr Obempong said patronage was still very low and that the assembly had intensified its campaign to educate the public on the need to register.

He said with the support of donor interventions the assembly has been able to execute a total of 270 projects within the framework of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Assemblies Medium Term Development Plan since 2001 to date throughout the district. On education he said 87 new educational structures were provided, including the rehabilitation of classroom blocks, provision of teacher's quarters, community libraries and dormitories.

He said 14 projects were executed under the health sector, whiles the assembly also took delivery of six refuse containers and a farm tractor.

"25 tricycles were supplied to the assembly by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment to assist in the management of refuse in the district", he added.

Mr Ato Quainoo, the Presiding Member of the assembly, appealed to the assembly members to be abreast with the duties and task of the assembly member in the development of the district.

He hoped that the functions of the assembly would be conducted and co-ordinated in an effective and friendly manner, and hinted that workers and assembly members who excel in their fields would be rewarded.

Mr Isaac Edumadze, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency briefed members of the assembly on Parliamentary affairs. 26 Dec 06