MMDAs urged to establish business centres

Nii Lante Vanderpuiye, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies  (MMDAs),  to establish business ventures in tourism, agriculture and processing sectors, to generate adequate revenue to finance development projects within their communities.

He explained that this will increase the Internally-Generated Funds (IGFs) of the various Assemblies,  to supplement the District Assembly Common Fund,  to ensure the  effective running of the Assemblies.

Mr Vanderpuiye made the call when he addressed the staff of the Kwahu South District Assembly at Mpreaso.

He said though the MMDAs are not supposed to undertake business activities, they have been constructing markets and stores which they have rented out to the people to collect tolls and rents to generate revenue, which are all commercial activities.

The Deputy Local Government Minister advised revenue collectors and managements of MMDAs, to avoid embezzling  assembly revenue, but render proper accounts to the Assemblies,  and warned  that any staff who will misappropriate Assembly revenue,  will be prosecuted.

He urged all workers of the MMDAs to get involved in the monthly national sanitation day exercise,  and also educate the people on the need to take part in the exercise, to ensure environmental cleanliness,  and avoid environmentally-related diseases within the communities.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari said, the Assembly had procured adequate tools and refuse trucks for the sanitation exercise in the district.

Mr Vanderpuye earlier paid a courtesy call on the Mpreasohene, Nana Ampadu Daaduam the Second,  and also inspected a 250-metre foot bridge being constructed by the Assembly at a cost of Gh¢40,000, to ensure safe  movement of people between Mpreaso and Atibie

Source: GNA