Sekondi, Sept. 22, GNA- The Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA) exceeded its half -year revenue target of 13 billion cedis by 1.8 billion cedis.

Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Assembly disclosed this at the fourth meeting of the Second Session of the Assembly at Sekondi on Wednesday.

He explained that the Assembly estimated 13 billion cedis within the first half of the year but as at June 30, 2004, it said the Assembly collected 14.8 billion cedis representing an overall performance rating of 113 per cent.

He said the Assembly also estimated to spend 5.7 billion cedis and 6.9 billion cedis on both recurrent and capital expenditure respectively during the half year.

However, he said as at the end of June this year, the actual revenue for both recurrent and capital stood at 6.6 billion cedis and 6.4 billion cedis respectively.

Mr Nkrumah explained that the excess of 900 million cedis in the recurrent budget was due to wage/salary increases due to the taking over of the streets cleansing exercise from the Urban Roads Department.

On waste management, he said the World Bank's support for the component of waste management came to an end last year December, and the Assembly had to assume the responsibility for payment of waste collection.

On development projects, Mr Nkrumah mentioned a number of development projects including seven classroom blocks, one health centre, a market and three aqua privy toilets in the communities. In addition, he said 18 kilometres of roads have been graded at West Anaji, Shama, Butumegyebu and Adiembra.

On poverty alleviation he said the Ahantaman Rural Bank, which manages the Wealth Creation Loan Scheme on behalf of the Assembly has disbursed 674 million cedis to 559 beneficiaries.

He added that new applications from other business groupings were also being processed.

Mr Nkrumah said a 12-member National Health Insurance Scheme Implementation Committee has been inaugurated to see to the implementation of the scheme in the Metropolis.