Tema, Aug 4, GNA – Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Unit Committee Members were on Thursday, inaugurated into office by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), with a call on the public to desist from making unnecessary demands on political position holders.
The Unit Committee Members are made up of five elected representatives from 41 out of the 50 electoral areas in the Metropolis.
Members of the remaining nine areas, are yet to be inaugurated, as they do not have a full complement of five each.
Mr Emmanuel Adzei Anang, Member of the Council of State, who presided over the inaugural ceremony, cautioned that the demand of personal things from Members of Parliament, Ministers and other political office holders should not be extended to Unit Committee Members.
Mr Anang said it was unfortunate that some members of the public burdened office holders with their personal problems, which included hospital bills, thus leading office holders to put in demands for higher allowances.
“If this continues, we will not have anybody volunteering to serve the community in future,” he said.
The Member of the Council of State, called for public co-operation with the Committee members, in order for them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Mr Anang cautioned the Unit Committee Members not to misuse the powers entrusted on them, under the Local Government Act, but should rather get themselves acquainted with their responsibilities, in order to discharge them accordingly.
The Counsel of State member urged them to stay away from illegal sale of lands and the unlawful citing of structures in their localities.
Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the Assembly would depend largely on the Members to educate and sensitize the people on its policies and programmes.
Mr Ofosuware indicated that the Members could help the Assembly achieve its objective of providing a clean and healthy environment, as well as assist in the improvement of its revenue mobilization.
Mrs Laurinda Owusu, Tema Circuit Court Judge, swore the Unit Committee Members into office.