AMA prosecutes property rate debtors

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has started prosecuting companies that have failed to pay their property rates after persistent demands by the Assembly. A statement signed for the AMA Chief Executive by Mr Frank Asante, Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, said five companies which refused to pay the rates despite persistent demands by the Assembly's accredited agent, the Non-Performing Assets Recovery and Restructuring Company Limited (NPARRC), have been sent to the District Court at Accra Community Centre.

The companies were Yellow Cab Limited, Leopold Ewald (Ghana) Limited, Reinsurance House, Las Palmas and CAL Bank. The statement said judgment was obtained against Yellow Cab Limited for the payment of GHC 2,354.59 as the amount owed the Assembly. As a result, the company made a part payment of GHC 500.00 GHC. The court then ordered that the company paid the balance on or before August 25. The statement said in the case of Leopold Ewald (Ghana) Limited, which was owing GH¢1,254.82, the court adjourned to August 25 because the company failed to appear even though it was served with Writ of Summons. The court awarded costs against it. In the case of Reinsurance House, it said the company produced a receipt for payment of GHC 3,664.98 that it owed the Assembly. The court adjourned the case to August 25 to enable it to verify the copy of the receipt.

On Las Palmas which owed GH¢ 261.05, the statement alleged that it had been evading service based on the affidavit of non-service submitted by the bailiff.

The court therefore adjourned the case to August 25 to enable the bailiff to make another attempt to serve the company. The statement said the case against Cal Bank was withdrawn because the company had settled its indebtedness long before the Writ of Summons was issued against it.

The statement also reminded all property owners that prosecution of other cases were being processed and advised debtors to make the necessary arrangements immediately to avoid embarrassment.