The Okaikwei North Municipal Chief Executive has warned Members of the Abeka Zonal Council to selflessly serve the Assembly. According to Honourable Boye Laryea, the members of the Council must work to better the lives of the people and not to enrich themselves.
“I want to charge all members to collectively work efficiently towards the realization of growth and development at the grassroot level, help better livelihood and further provide for the needs of the people of Okaikwei North.”
Honourable Laryea emphasized that anybody found to be engaged in any form of practice contrary to the law will not be spared. He gave the caution during the inauguration of the Abeka Zonal Council on Tuesday.
The Okaikwei North MCE noted that the inauguration of the council is in line with Paragraph 28(1) of the Model Standing Orders for Local Government Service under the Legislative Instrument (L.I 1589), 1994 of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies. He explained that the main purpose of establishing Zonal Councils is to deepen decentralization and to ensure effective operationalization of the sub-structures pursuant to the policies of Local Government.
“It is worthy to note that, no Municipal Assembly can operate to its fullest capacity unless there is a functional and reliable sub-structure. I therefore wish to inform this august house that the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly has successfully set up two Zonal Councils; which include the Abeka and the Achimota Zonal Councils.”
Honourable Laryea disclosed that the main functions of a Zonal Council are to mobilize revenue, implement policies at the local level and to also mobilize the community to participate in decision making.
” With the mobilization of revenue for instance, members are expected to keep records and provide data on all ratable properties within their areas to assist and inform officers who have been authorized by the council to collect revenue on its behalf. Again, members have a responsibility to report all unauthorized developments in their electoral areas to the Zonal Council for further action.”
Honourable Laryea stated that grassroot participation in the decentralization process is very key to the development of the sub-structures and consequently goes a long way to help the Assembly function effectively and efficiently.
He charged members to spearhead the socio-economic and political change they wish through proper and effective communication and building an attitude of selfless service to be able to serve the Community in accordance with the laid-down rules. The Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Benjamin Armah in a remark urged the Council to discharge their duties as professionals. Honourable Umar Abdul M. Yaro, the Assemblyman for Blema-Gor speaking on behalf of the other members of the Council, was grateful to the Assembly for establishing the Council to support the activities of the Assembly.
The Abeka Zonal Council has a staff strength of eighteen (18) members from the various departments of the Assembly.
Present at the ceremony were Heads of Departments and Staff of the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly.
Source: Ghana / onma.gov.gh
