Absenteeism, over reliance on common fund hampering development of WR - Minister

Europa

January 15, 2016 12:21 PM

Mr. Paul Aidoo was addressing the twenty-two (22) MMDCEs in the western region at a meeting on Thursday

Western Regional Minister Paul Evans Aidoo

The Western Regional Minister Paul Evans Aidoo has stated that, absenteeism, apathy and over reliance on the District Assembly Common Fund by some metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives in the western region is hampering the region’s development.

Besides, “there are unanswered audit queries, late submission of reports to the Regional Coordinating Council, National Development Planning Commission, Local Government Service and the Ministry of Finance. There are also severally uncompleted projects toppled by low Internally Generated Funds IGFs and inadequate team work in some of the assemblies”.

Mr. Paul Aidoo who was addressing the twenty-two (22) MMDCEs in the western region at a meeting on Thursday noted that these “lapses which impede progress and development you (MMDAs) will have to strive hard to control”.

He adds that even though the overall performance of the MMDAs in the region in 2015 was commendable, some MMDAs are still having projects which started way back in 2009 uncompleted “yet they are awarding and still requesting for new projects”.

“We are here to review their [MMDAs] 2015 performance. And I can assure you that any member found to be doing things contrary will not be spared.

Mr. Aidoo also lamented that, “In spite of the numerous achievements of the [Western] region, it is still beset with challenges such as illegal mining operations, degradation of the environment, inadequate education and health facilities, child labour in cocoa Farms, Smuggling of Cocoa Beans and Chieftaincy and Land disputes.

Mr. Aidoo asked the MMDCEs to channel greater portion of their financial resources to help address the challenges.

He charged all and sundry to sustain the peace and stability reigning throughout the region and to ensure a successful 2016 elections by “doing away with all actions and inactions which can mar the elections.

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