General News of Friday, 11 May 2018

Source: kasapafmonline.com

PAC ‘mad’ at MMDAs over GHC14 rent charge on 2-bedroom government apartment

PAC has demanded for the review of the low rent charge of government bungalows PAC has demanded for the review of the low rent charge of government bungalows

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament is not happy about the ridiculously low rent charges by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) on public bungalows, especially, two-bedroom apartment, in the country.

The committee, incensed by this low rate, has therefore, demanded an upward review of the rents charged on government bungalows.

Speaking at a sitting in Ho, Thursday, May 10, 2018, Chairman of the PAC, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi, said the current rents on government bungalows at the districts were not economical.

He said the review of the rents should reflect the realities on the ground.

Hon. Avedzi made the call following responses by the District Chief Executives and financial directors in the Volta Region when they appeared before the PAC to answer questions about their activities.

The Financial Director of the Kedjebi Municipal Assembly, MacGeorge Apetorgbor, told the committee that rent on a two-bedroom apartment at Kedjebi was GHC14.00 a month.

However, occupants of the said apartments have failed to pay.

Hon. Avedzi who was not happy about the situation, urged auditors of the various MMDAs to monitor renovation works carried out by occupants of government bungalows to ensure that the cost of the renovation works are not inflated.

He also urged the assemblies to take steps to retrieve all outstanding rent arrears and report same to auditors for verification.