Sekondi November 20,-GNA-Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Monday inaugurated the Metropolitan Rate Assessment Committee at a short ceremony at Sekondi. In an address, Mr Nkrumah said the committee would serve as an appalent authority to which people who are aggrieved by the rates imposed by the assembly could appeal to for fair treatment. He said this duty of the committee is guaranteed under the Local Government Act which outlines the function of district, Municipal and Metropolitan assemblies.

Mr Nkrumah said the Metropolitan Assembly has to raise sufficient revenue to support its overall development objectives adding, "While appreciating the role of Central Government as a major partner in this service, the onus rests with the Assembly itself to generate sufficient internally generated revenues to meet its goals".

He said property rate is one of the major sources of such revenues at the disposal of the Assembly to support its development and this area supplies about 40 per cent of the annual budgetary needs. Mr Nkrumah said, "Considering the great potential of this area in contributing to the financial break through of the Assembly, the Assembly has privatized the development and collection of the rate under this portfolio to a private company, C.T.K. Aviation Company Limited of Takoradi".

He said the company has mechanized the billing system and is constantly updating its data through aerial surveys and mapping. Nana Tsitsi Apor, chief of Kansaworodo, who is the chairman of the committee, said the committee would help improve the collection of rates to improve the revenue base of the assembly.

Other members of the committee are Mr Eugene Ofori-Atta, an architect, Mr Ebenezer Kwaitoo, solicitor of SAEMA, Mr Joseph Quansah, a retired educationist, Miss Jane Edna Nyame, Western Regional Director of the Department of Women and Mrs Victoria de-graft Johnson, secretary.