Ejisu (Ash), July 16, GNA- The Ejisu Magistrate's court in Ashanti has fined 71 people from Dumakwai in Ashanti, 80,000 cedis each for refusing to pay 20,000 cedis each as special rate.

The levy was imposed on adults in the community by the Ejisu-Juaben District Assembly for provision of water.

The defaulters, 30 men and 41 women, pleaded guilty and each will serve five months imprisonment in default.

In addition, each of them was bonded to be of good behaviour for one year or serve additional five months in prison.

Mr T.K. Mensah, Chief Local Government Inspector at the District Assembly, told the court that the assembly in collaboration with Olof Palme and Peace Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), decided to carry out water and sanitation project in the community at a cost of 48 million cedis.

He said the community was to contribute two million cedis towards the project so the chief and people met on February 3, this year and resolved that each resident aged 18 years and above should pay 20,000 cedis.

Mr Mensah said the resolution was submitted to the assembly for approval.

He said on June 4, this year, the unit committee embarked on routine inspection of receipts of payment and it found out that the accused persons had defaulted despite the chief's warning to pay the amount and avoid prosecution.