Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Tuesday inaugurated the newly elected Assembly members of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA), and tasked them to render dedicated and selfless services for the development of the area.

He said the decentralisation concept was an integral part of the country’s democracy through which development was extended to the people at the grassroots stressing that “Government will continue to support the development of the Assembly concept”.

The TaMA consisted of 18 appointed and 40 elected Assembly members and their inauguration forms part of a nationwide ceremony where the assemblies across the country are inducting members into office for the next four years.

Mr Amissah-Arthur said the role of the assembly members is very crucial in promoting good governance and urged them to work diligently to justify the confidence repose in them by those who voted for them.

He indicated that government has been providing resources for the development of infrastructural needs of the assemblies.

He expressed the need for the assemblies to increase revenue generation to get the needed funds for development.

He expressed worry about the springing up of slums in many cities on the country, a situation he indicated could results in disasters due to poor sanitation and planning.

The Vice President implored the assemblies to take good sanitary practices very seriously noting that very soon special courts would be establish to prosecute persons who liter the streets indiscriminately.

Mr Amissah-Arthur asked the assemblies to find innovative means of creating employment opportunities for the teeming youths saying: “promoting the agricultural sector will create job opportunities for many people”.

Mr Shahu Kadir, Coordinating Director for the TaMA said the assembly has over the years undertaken unprecedented development activities in areas of roads, schools and health facilities and appealed to members to assist in promoting the development of the area.