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| Hon. Isaac Kodobisah- Ho MCE |
The Ho municipal assembly has improved in its revenue mobilization efforts as the assembly exceeded its 2010 revenue target of GH¢ 600,432.00 by GH¢ 650,089.24 being 108% of the budgeted revenue.
This was disclosed to assembly members by the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Isaac Kodobissah at the assembly meeting in Ho on Wednesday.
According to the MCE, the 2010 revenue performance inspired the assembly to peg tits 2011 estimated revenue at GH¢ 848,730.00, of which GH¢ 318,539.63 forming 38% of the estimated figure have been collected in the first half of the year.
Mr. Kodobissah said measures are being taken to step up mobilization during the second half of the year since revenue collection within the first half of every year among assemblies is generally slow.
Among the measures being adopted include, public education, refresher course for revenue staff and the formation of revenue task force.
Touching on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the MCE said a total of GH¢ 459,994.51 being the 3rd and 4th quarter disbursement for 2010 has been received from the common fund secretariat and disbursement for 2011 has not yet started. The delay in the DACF disbursement according to Hon. Kodobissah hinders smooth implementation of planned programs and projects but said the sector ministry is putting in pragmatic measures to arrest the situation.
He therefore called on assembly members to device measures to mobilize sufficient internally generated funds to implement the assembly’s plans.
The MCE also touched on various projects being undertaken by the assembly, these include among others, the construction of 19 six-unit classroom blocks to remove schools under trees and a 5 four-unit teachers quarters in the various communities in the municipality. Others include the construction, reshaping and upgrading of various road networks, the patching of potholes in the Ho Township and also the commencement of the second phase of the street lightening project of 10km.
Under the government social intervention programs, a total of 1,745 pupils from seven clusters of schools are benefiting from the school feeding program, like wise 6,100 uniforms were distributed under the free school uniform program with 1,800 more yet to be distributed and a total of 46,241 exercise books have also been distributed under the free exercise books program.
Also, a total of 1,076 youths have been engaged in 8 modules under the national youth employment program.
Hon. Kodobissah also announced to the assembly members that negotiations are underway between the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Ministry of local government & Rural Dev’t and the Administrator of the District Assembly Common fund to purchase motor bikes for them.
