The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) in 2013 increased its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) shot up to GH¢1,823,641.59 over the GH¢1,744,417.42 the Assembly estimated.

Mr Ibrahim Baidoo, the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive who was addressing the Assembly, attributed the increase to the computerization of license and property rate data being used in revenue mobilization in the Municipality.

He added that this, coupled with the implementation of 2013 Revenue Mobilization Strategy Action Plan, and the strong monitoring and evaluation of revenue collection helped the Assembly to exceed its targeted IGF revenue.

He noted that the GH¢1,823,641.59 generated in 2013, showed a 30.06 per cent increment over the GH¢1,447,655.60 accrued in 2012.

The MCE however said the total revenue mobilized for the year was GH¢5,113,585.10 representing 93.02 per cent of the budgeted GH¢5,521,960.82.

The total revenue mobilization consists of the IGF, District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Government of Ghana (GOG) salaries and other grants.

Mr Baidoo explained that the shortfall in the overall revenue performance was due to the non-release of parts of Urban Development Funds (UDF) and the DACF.

He said 16.41 per cent of the Assembly’s generated IGF was spent on personnel emoluments.

He noted that ASHMA was initiating action to transfer a sizeable number of its employees on the IGF payroll onto the GOG salary payroll in order to reduce the high wage bill of the Assembly.

The MCE said the Assembly would provide logistics to all Revenue Collectors, City Guards, and Task Force to motivate them to deliver.

He said ASHMA would intensify its revenue drive by opening more revenue collection outlets closer to the rate payers.

Mr Baidoo added that his administration has also terminated the Contractual Agreement between ASHMA and REVSOL, a private company, engaged to assist the Assembly in the IGF collection.

The MCE assured that more commission collectors have been employed to take over those areas which were assigned to REVSOL.

GNA