Regional News of Sunday, 31 August 2003

Source: GNA

DCE speaks on absenteeism

Techiman, (B/A) Aug.31, GNA - Mr Isaac Osei-Antwi, Techiman District Chief Executive, has attributed the district's loss of an award for having the best local government structures to absenteeism on the part of some of the workers.

He said when officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development came in to assess the area and town councils for the award, some of the offices were not operating.

The DCE, who disclosed this at a meeting with members of Techiman urban council said the award is conferred on District Assemblies during the celebration of the annual local government week.

Techiman is one of a few districts that have set up the entire structures of the local government system, with core staff and yet some of the staff refuse to report for duty, he said.

Mr Osei-Antwi charged members of the various councils to monitor and supervise staff to work assiduously towards the development of the district. More

Mr Osei-Antwi called for the revival of unit committees and made more vibrant to be able to serve the people better.

Mr David Yaro, district co-ordinating director, commended the council for the numerous projects executed and asked them to redouble efforts in revenue collection to be able to execute more development projects.

He advised the council to draw elaborate project proposals to enhance the living conditions of the people.

Mr Davis Boamah-Asumadu, Chairman of the urban council, in a welcoming address said the council had completed various projects in about 80 per cent of communities under its authority.

The council has also been influential in the prevention of unauthorized structures in the district, he said, but complained that the failure of the district assembly to pay the council its 50 per cent share of revenue collected had hampered smooth administration.

As part of the programme, Mr Osei-Antwi commissioned a 160-million cedi three- classroom block with toilet and urinal for Gyarko Local Authority Primary school constructed with HIPC funds.