The Bolgatanga Municipality will have a 100 percent total connection to the national Grid after the completion of the massive electricity connection works on-going in 16 communities.
The beneficiary communities include Zaare East-Auugubisi, Yipaala, Konbiligo, Bukere, Sherigu, Bassengo, Sherigu Pumpungo, Sherigo Nyokuko, Soe, Soe Kugadoone, Sokabiisi, Tindonmologo, Tindonsheo, Tindonsobligo and Zorbisi.
The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Joseph Amiyuure Atuura who made this known at the assembly’s first ordinary meeting at Bolgatanga noted that energy is an important ingredient in industrial activity relative to the One District One Factory.
Mr Amiyuure bemoaned the erection of unauthorized buildings and structures without recourse to law that is causing slums in the Municipality at an undesirable rate.
He regrets the ICT Centre earmarked for the opening of a passport Office for the Upper East Region failed to take off owing to the inability to evacuate containers sited around the building.
While admitting delays in the processing of permits for building and structures, he indicated that approval have been given to about 46 permanent buildings and 72 temporary structures.
He called on Political actors, traditional and religious authorities in the Municipality to add their voices to help stem the trend.
To address issues of obsoleteness and non-enforcement of bye-laws, the MCE indicated that the Justice and Security Sub- committee has been assigned to review the bye laws within an appropriate framework and guidelines to stand the test of time.
He announced the Assembly will undertake a programme to inaugurate two zonal councils at the sub-district structure to enforce formulation and compliance with the bye-laws.
The MCE bemoaned the recent incidence of murder allegedly emanating from the Bolgatanga Chieftaincy, as well as land and other chieftaincy disputes that are inimical to peace and development.
He called on disputing parties to seek solutions through legitimate and peaceful ways.
Touching on Health, Mr. Amiyuure acknowledged government support in releasing GHC 20,000.00 to each MMDA for sensitization and the purchase of PPEs in addition to GHC 166,000.00 as part of District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) allocation that was used to provide 5 No. mechanized boreholes in the major markets and the Yebongo CHPS compound and GHC 20,000.00 for the purpose of improving hygiene in the Market.
Under water, Sanitation and hygiene, he disclosed that the Assembly together with its partners has constructed a total of 71 water facilities including 46 boreholes with pumps and 25 mechanized boreholes.
The MCE laments the indebtedness of the Assembly to the tune of GHC 818,441.95 has rendered them not credit worthy and that has severely constrained them from providing basic services.
For revenue mobilization, Mr. Amiyuure hinted that the Assembly has been able to collect only 31.6% of the budgeted GHC 1,388,500.00 owing to lockdown restriction of COVID-19.
Story By:Emmanuel Akayeti