The Ningo-Prampram District Assembly (NIPDA) would from Monday, March 18, 2019 resume the collection of tolls, rates and fines from residents of Ningo.
This follows the reopening of the Assembly's Zonal Council at Ningo which was closed down following the decision of natives and residents of the Ningo Traditional Area not to pay tolls, taxes and contribute their quota to the development of the district in protest against the selection of Prampram as the district's administrative town.
Ningo-Prampram District, which is made up if the Ningo Traditional Area and Prampram Traditional Area, was created in 2012 out of the then Dangme West District.
Mr Jonathan Teye Doku, Ningo-Prampram District Chief Executive, announced the commencement of the collection of revenue from the area during a town hall meeting at Old-Ningo.
Mr Doku indicated that the zonal council was refurbished and opened with revenue officers attached to it following agreements and resolving of the misunderstanding with the Traditional Council and the people.
He reminded residents that it was mandatory to pay taxes as citizens, in accordance to the 1992 Constituion and Local Government Act adding that 50 per cent of the revenue collected from an area would be used solely for the development of that place.
He cautioned the youth against preventing officers from the Assembly from collecting the mandatory tools from residents as stressed that "anyone who prevents people from paying will be dealt with according to the law".
"Once you are working and staying here you will pay your tolls, we cannot compromise on that, if not the indiscipline will continue, " he added.
The DCE also reminded them that building permits must be acquired from the Assembly before development adding that they would ensure that buildings conform with the Assembly's planning scheme for the district.
He also urged residents to observe good sanitation practices as according to him, the town's hygienic issue was very poor and must be corrected.
Mr Ali Amidu, Ningo-Prampram District Coordinating Director, on his part, called on residents to fully participate in the Assembly's programmes as most of them refused to attend town hall meetings and other gatherings to contribute as well as question the Assembly on issues affecting their area.
Mr Amidu indicated that the country's constitution make emphasis on grass roots participation in governance hence the town hall meeting to provide the forum for discussions and accountability.
Mr Francis Essandoh, District Planning Officer, in a presentation, highlighted some of the developmental projects the Assembly embarked on in 2018 noting that classroom blocks were constructed in three towns.
He added that other projects included the commencement of construction of teachers' bungalow at Mangotsonaa, CHPS compound, and storm drains.
He announced that in 2019, the Assembly had planned to build one. markets each inTsopoli, Prampram, Miotso, Old Ningo and Afienya.
Madam Rita Maame Esi Boafo, an officer at the Assembly's Budget Unit, took residents through the three sources of revenue and the various expenditures.
She appealed to residents to honour their taxes to enable the Assembly accrue more internally generated fund to help it embark on its planned developments.
Residents questioned the Assembly officials on noice making in the area by pubs, maintenance of school buildings, uses of the tax money, road regulations, and parking on the roads by okada riders, among others.