Bawku Municipal Assembly Exceeds Revenue Target

06-04-2011
The Bawku Municipal Assembly has for the year 2009/2010 exceeded its revenue target despite the violent conflict. The year 2009 recorded a 60 percent increase of about 280,000 Ghana Cedis as its internal revenue mobilisation as against projected revenue of 174,540. Consequently the assembly for the year 2010 increase its internal revenue base to the tune of 515,952 Ghana Cedis exceeding a target revenue of 431,400 representing a 20 percent increase. The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive who disclosed this to Radio Ghana at Bawku attributed the success story to the tireless effort put up by revenue collectors in the municipality. This, he explained, was as a result of pragmatic steps instituted by the assembly to enhance its revenue base. Various interventional strategies, he added, were adopted in achieving that remarkable increase in the revenue base of the assembly. He indicated that revenue collectors were trained on technicalities of writing and issuing of receipts, as quarterly review meetings were also organized for them to assess their performance. Landing and exit fees were also collected at the various check point for the purpose of monitoring. Hard working revenue collection staffs were also provided with motivational packages to boost their activities. This and other strategies according to the MCE were adopted in achieving the success of the assembly exceeding it revenue base. He stress that the assembly would not relent on its effort to increase its revenue mobilization and stress that his outfit in collaboration with other key stakeholders, are working around the clock to ensure further development in the area through its internal revenue generation. He described the development in the revenue sector as commendable, emphasizing that the assembly in the subsequent years would achieved more in the area of revenue generation, only if the peace currently enjoyed by the people of the area is sustained. Mr. Abdullai lamented that the assembly could not achieve much in areas like property rates, rates on animal as well as basic rate among others. In view of this unfortunate development, the assembly is developing new strategies to haul in the revenue, as this will include the ceding of some rates and fees to the substructures. With regards to revenue collected at the various check points, Mr. Abdulallai disclosed that plans are far advance to provide check offices for officers manning the various check points to ensure a 24 hour operation and called on the people to respond actively to their tax obligations to help the assembly achieve its developmental agenda.
GBC END IA/