Bolgatanga Municipality to improve property rate collection

Bolgatanga, Jan. 18, GNA - Mr Edward Ayagle, Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said on Friday that the Assembly had put in place prudent and workable fiscal strategies to improve upon revenue mobilisation.The measures include instituting legal action against property owners who are indebted to the Assembly.The MCE told Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga that the Assembly netted GH¢200,000 from fees collected as property rates in the Municipality in 2013, which was far below the estimated target of GH¢300,000.He attributed the inability of the Assembly to meet its revenue target to failure of some property owners to pay property rates.Mr Ayagle said the Assembly used sensitisation and public education as strategies to improve the current situation.He said the Assembly would update records on properties in the Municipality.Mr Mustapha Adam, Budget Officer of the Assembly, said his office is confronted with challenges such as the demarcation of properties due to the increasing number of estates and commercial developments.He indicated that the first valuation by the Assembly was conducted in 1997 and updated in 2010 compelling it to generate low income on property rates.Mr Adams said the Assembly had set its property rate collection target for this year to GH¢360,000.GNA Read Full Story