MMDAs Must Be Accountable To The People � Adentan MCE

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) depend on the central government, under its District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), for a substantial amount of their budgetary requirements in order to enable them to operate effectively. However, delays by the government in releasing funds, coupled with the inability of some assemblies to generate funds internally, are hampering development at the local level. The Adentan Municipal Assembly (AdMA) is facing challenges in the face of such delays. The assembly expected 67 per cent of its 2014 budget to be paid for by the central government, but, as of June, it had received only 9.7 per cent of the expected amount. As a means of ensuring transparency in its dealings, the assembly held a budget performance forum last Friday to lay bare to its members, interest groups and residents in the municipality the assembly�s current financial standing. The forum also offered the opportunity for stakeholders to scrutinise the finances of the assembly and also offer suggestions on how to improve its activities. Transparency The Chief Executive (MCE) of AdMA, Mr Benjamin B. Angenu, said the objective of the forum was to render accounts to the people and also inform participants of the assembly�s activities. He said MMDAs were accountable to the people and as such they needed to be transparent in their operations. According to him, though the central government delayed in releasing the assembly�s share of the DACF, it was able to use its internally generated funds to operate effectively. �Under the circumstances, it is necessary to let the people know what their money is being used for in order to encourage them to pay tolls, basic rates and other levies needed to undertake development activities,� he said. Mr Angenu pointed out further that the assembly would adopt new strategies to help it improve on its internally generated funds. For instance, he said, residents who failed to pay their local taxes would be prosecuted, while revenue collectors who performed abysmally and so did not meet set targets would be dismissed. He said the assembly was also considering hiring the services of private revenue collectors. Attitudinal change Mr Angenu advised residents to adhere to proper waste management practices to help curb the spread of cholera. He expressed regret over the negative attitude of people towards sanitation. The AdMA Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr Gabriel G.H Deri, encouraged residents to make conscious efforts to help address challenges facing the municipality.