OMA to Introduce IT to check pilfering

Obuasi, May 29, GNA-The Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) is considering a proposal for the introduction of an information technology (IT) idea into its revenue generation efforts to enhance the Assembly's overall revenue base.

The proposal which is coming from Messer REVSOL, an ICT firm in Kumasi, is expected not only to help the assembly to save the ordeal of purchasing value books, but would also prevent pilfering of revenue. Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Acting Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who announced this at an assembly meeting in Obuasi, said the assembly would try the new system as soon as "we reach a reasonable deal".

Briefing the assembly on the revenue situation, the Acting MCE said performance in revenue mobilization for the first quarter of the year had shown an appreciable achievement.

"From the revenue table, it can be seen that an amount of 210,310.42 Ghana Cedis was actually collected out of estimated revenue of 241,184.86 Ghana Cedis".

Mr. Owusu-Ansah said the amount collected represented 87.20 per cent of the target and "we think it is remarkable achievement because we anticipated vigorous collection during the second quarter". He said it had not been possible to maximize collection of property rate because of the delay in the printing of bills. "But the bills have now been printed and we expect to start active collection of that rate with maximum of delay".

On award of contracts, the Regional Minister said the assembly had already committed itself to the funding of the on-going projects and that, embarking on new projects to the tune of one point nine million Ghana Cedis would put pressure on the assembly's budget, unless the projects were extremely urgent.

However, the assembly would undertake the construction of an Education office, renovation of assembly building and the construction of security fence wall for Obuasi Christ the King Catholic and Obuasi Senior High Technical School, he added. 29 May 08