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Friday, 31 May 2013

KMA records a decline in revenue collection

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, has expressed worry over the decline in performance of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in revenue collection over the past three years.

The revenue collection of the Assembly, according to available records, has been waning from 2009 to 2012 for which reason the new KMA Boss has called for a critical look at the situation.

He has proposed a ‘new direction’ to be given to revenue collection of the Assembly in order to generate more revenue to develop the Metropolis. He further called for a review of the percentage of monies given to agencies outsourced to collect revenue in the Assembly. Only about 30% of revenue generated in the Metropolis goes to the Assembly whiles the remaining 70% goes to revenue mobilization agencies that have been subcontracted to do the collection.

He said that the Assembly cannot continue to rely on the central government alone for funds to develop, and therefore would be introducing strategies and block all loopholes in the system to beef up revenue collection drive of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the KMA is revealed to have been allocated a US$ 4 million Capacity Support Fund (CSF) to engage consultants to support the Assembly to improve it management capabilities in some areas of Public Financial Management.

The Fund, said to be part of the Urban Development Grant (UDG,) falls under the Local Government Capacity Support Project (LGCSP) which aims to assist urban local governments to strengthen their managerial competence in Public Financial Management.

The Assembly is also indicated to be in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Technical Advisory Team (RTAT) who is facilitating the implementation of the project.
These were captured as part of programmes earmarked for implementation at the median sessional address of the KMA Chief Executive in Kumasi.

Among the major highlights of his address, Kojo Bonsu pledged to deepen the rebranding process of the Kumasi Metropolis competitive with international cities like Johannesburg, Boston and London, and called for the support of all stakeholders to realize this objective.

He hinted to be organizing an international conference to showcase the business potential of Kumasi, and through which build a 2000 seater capacity conference center as part of the process.
The Kumasi Airport which has witnessed some frequent closure over the past years is also said to be given a mojor facelift as well as the creation of an Airport City all in anticipation to increase the revenue base of the Metropolis as well as the Region.

Prominent among the list of programmes said to be pursued, is the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the Central Business District (CBD) of the Kumasi Metropolis to monitor and track criminal activities in the commercial areas and other flashpoints areas in the Metropolis.

In addition to this, he indicated to seek support from donor agencies and philanthropist to procure vehicles and other combat gears for the Police in the Region to fight crime.   

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