KMA meets 99% of revenue target for 2017 despite revenue leakages

Osei Assibey Antwi – MCE of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly[/caption] Despite that the proliferation of fake General Counterfeit Receipts (GCRs) stalled the efforts of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in revenue mobilization, the Assembly was able to meet about 99% of its revenue target for the year 2017. The Metro Chief Executive, Osei Assibey Antwi indicated during the first ordinary meeting of the 3rd session of the 7th Assembly of the KMA held on Tuesday, March 27. The KMA boss said the Assembly collected GH¢35,292,656.16 in internally generated funds for the year 2017.The amount he said represents  98.9% of the targeted revenue of GH¢ 35,688,900 for the 2017 financial year. Breaking down the revenue into the various revenue streams, he said the assembly collected GH¢897,422.49 from issuance of building permits.He mentioned that revenue accrued from Kumasi Central Market increased from GH¢9,000 per day to GH¢16,000 after the daily toll was increased from GH¢0.50 to GH¢1.00. He added the assembly also generated an average of about GH¢40,000 a month from the Sokoban Wood Village after it had taken over the management of the area. Mr Osei Assibey Antwi said a monthly average of about GH¢20,000 is realised from the Afia Kobi Market popularly called Abinkyi Market. He said revenue collection in the Afia Kobi market is expected to increase under the new management that has been put in place by the assembly to oversee proper functioning of the market. The MCE attributed the financial success of the assembly to a restructuring exercise carried out by the assembly in a bid to generate more revenue and also to improve the existing revenue generation streams. He thus called for review of the 2018 action plan and budget as a matter of urgency due to the creation of the five new municipal assemblies which were carved from the KMA. Meanwhile, the MCE bemoans how revenue leakages through the use of General Counterfeit Receipts (GCRs) is derailing their efforts in raising revenue. He has however said the issue about the use of fake General Counterfeit Receipts in the system has been reported to the relevant investigative bodies and some arrests including some assembly staff have been made. He assured that the law would be made to take its course, “all culpable officers will be dealt with in accordance with the law, without fear or favour”, he stated. By Antwi Boasiako|Onua Fm|Ghana  ]]>