UW Regional Minister bemoans disorderly spatial planning and development in Wa

Alhaji Amin Amidu Sulemana, Upper West regional Minister has noted with concern that the increasing level of indiscipline in the development of structures in the Wa Township, could compromise discipline and orderliness in the implementation of approved building plans.

The prime motive for maximizing revenue from the development of these structures, he stated, should not make planners lose sight of the haphazard development which would in the end expose the assembly’s weakness in the management of disasters.

Alhaji Sulemana said this in a speech read on his behalf at the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the Wa Municipal Assembly at Wa, on Wednesday.

The indiscriminate construction of all kinds of structures in open spaces of the town, raised questions about the assembly’s ability to assert its authority on matters that related to the enforcement of laid down rules and regulations governing the development of physical structures, he pointed out.

The Assembly missed its revenue target by 22 per cent last year, this the Regional Minister noted was worrying; saying that, it should be a wake-up call for the members to diagnose lapses in the revenue mobilization machinery and put in place effective remedies to plug the loopholes.

“There should be a constant review of your revenue performance on weekly bases so as to identify and nib in the bud any problem that has the potential to undermine efforts at achieving your monthly revenue target”, he said.

The Assembly set an ambitious target of GH¢324,799.00 in 2011, and at the close of the year realised GH¢252,263.14 representing 78 per cent. It has projected GH¢285,164.12 for this year.

Alhaji Sulemana expressed a firm conviction that the revenue potential of Wa, was grossly under explored considering its fast industrialization and urbanization.

He was however glad to hear that the Assembly was one of the 26 short- listed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies that had been selected to receive the World bank Urban Development grant.

This he noted was obtained through hard work, diligence, competence, discipline in service delivery and efficient management of Assembly resources.

Alhaji Duogu Yakubu, Wa Municipal Chief Executive said, an amount of GH¢245,024.27 was allocated to the assembly as its share of the Common Fund out of which GH¢82,684.57 was deducted at source to cater for various interventions for the assembly.

He said the balance of GH¢162,339.70 was being invested in various projects under Local Government, Education, Health, Energy, Water and Sanitation.

On donor support, he said the assembly had just received 85 per cent of its development grant amounting to GH¢552,728.00, for the implementation of District Development Fund Projects in the Municipality.

Mr. Ibrahim Adamu, Presiding Member, advised his colleagues to respect rules that guide deliberations in the Assembly, as those who deviate from them and use intemperate language would be sanctioned.**