Regional News of Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Source: GNA

Ga West MCE calls for support to improve revenue

Accra, April 9, GNA - Mr Eric Busby Quartey-Papafio, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ga West on Wednesday called for the support of assemblymen in the area to improve its revenue mobilization. He said this was necessary to enable the municipality recover lost potential revenue, as a result of it's splitting up to create the Weija municipality.

Mr. Quartey-Papafio, who made the appeal at the municipal's general assembly meeting at Amasaman said improving revenue was more challenging now, since Ga West was able to generate only 58.6 per cent of the annual projected revenue last year, even when the Weija Municipal was part of it.

"This means that we have to re-strategize our revenue mobilization drive, establish more markets, lorry parks and improve facilities that generate revenue for the Assembly".

On development in Ga West, the MCE said school enrolment in the primary section increased by 3027 pupils and 834 in the Junior High during the 2007/2008 academic year, as a result of the Capitation Grant. According to him, 14 schools in the area were benefiting from the School Feeding Programme, adding that there has also been improved infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr. Quartey-Papafio stated that 553 youth have also benefited under the National Youth Employment Programme.

The MCE further expressed regret about the high incidence of robbery, chieftaincy disputes and road accident rates within the municipality and called for the support of Police and residents to reverse the trend.

To improve sanitation, Mr Quartey-Papafio hinted that two refuse trucks and 13 refuse containers had been secured from Zoomlion Limited to effectively manage waste.

He pledged that Assembly would continue to implement policies and programmes to improve living conditions of the people.