Reports suggest that the KMA Chief Executive, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi had gone into an arrangement with an automobile company to give every assembly member, a brand new saloon car to enhance their work.

But in a statement, issued and signed by Mr Godwin Nyame in charge of public relations, the KMA said the allegations were false.

Indeed, the allegations which are gaining grounds on radio stations in Kumasi further claim that the assembly intends to use deductions from allowances of the assembly members to pay for the vehicles.

“The KMA would like to emphasise that the information is not only misinforming, misleading and fabricated but also a well-planned attempt to throw dust into the eyes of the public and dent the positive image of the KMA and its  Chief Executive in the process,” the statement said.

“The assembly will, however, like to put on record that the automobile company, which was said to have visited the assembly, only came to showcase its products to the management and also informed management that the company sells its cars to credible institutions and individual on high purchase basis,” it added.

It said Hyundai Motors and Investment Ghana is not the only company that has visited the assembly to showcase it products in recent times.

It will be recalled that Katanka Automobile Company Ltd also visited to showcase its products to the assembly some days ago.

“It is important to note that the Metro Chief Executive cannot unilaterally take a decision to purchase vehicles for the assembly members without prior approval by the General Assembly, ” the statement said.

It said the assembly has not entered into any agreement with any company to purchase cars for the elected assembly members as it is being alleged.

–

Source: Graphic.com.gh

The post KMA denies buying vehicles for assembly members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, beyond the Gh¢119,213,333.22 accumulated debt spanning several years, the assembly’s judgement debt portfolio increased from Gh₵6,427,287.75 to Gh₵50,602,874.43 between the period of October to December in 2016 alone.

Just last week, Meskworld company limited, one its contractors through their solicitors, LithurBrew and company served notice on the KMA that it would sue if the assembly fails to pay the sum GHC3,171,866.04 owed since 2008.

The visibly distraught Mr Assibey Antwi, made the revelation in Kumasi on Thursday at a meeting of the Kumasi assembly.

He told the gathering that the KMA is currently standing at the edge of a cliff and if it does not tread with caution, tact and quickly evolve a turnaround strategy to manage its debt stock, it shall fall into an abyss of insolvency.

Subsequently, he said the assembly was to seek legal opinion including the option of resorting to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to deal with all the outstanding court cases.

It is also to be guided by the Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921), which seeks to “regulate the financial management of the public sector within a micro economic and fiscal framework; to define responsibilities of persons entrusted with the management and control of public funds, assets, liabilities, and resources, to ensure that public funds are sustainable and consistent.”

The KMA new boss is also to set up a project monitoring and control mechanism to ensure that the business of the assembly was run with a high sense of discipline and responsibility.

Mr Osei Assibey Antwi said his recent engagements with some of the contractors as well as site visits gave a clear indication that some of the service providers have not been living up to expectation.

And in order to accelerate progress on the backlog of projects whose completion times have elapsed, the KMA shall review all existing contracts including those that are pending.

The KMA boss said in order to succeed in the coming months, the assembly needed to forge partnership with central government, the Kumasi Traditional Council, the private sector, civil society organisation and all well-meaning individuals who have the growth and development of the metropolis at heart.

Among the steps being taken is to embark on a collective effort to mobilise resources, mutual accountability for delivery of service and programmes and effective communication and mutual respect to all.

As part of his initiative, Mr Antwi is to discuss with members for the construction of an office complex to house all its scattered units under one roof.

It is to be built under a public-private partnership relationship. Indeed, he indicated that since 2012, steps have been taken to have Messrs Hai Hong ETS Limited for the office complex to be constructed at US$33.3million.

–

Source: Graphic.com.gh

The post KMA piles up Gh¢100 million debt appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.