By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Aug. 15, GNA – The Ho Municipal Assembly has procured two brand-new Mitsubishi L200 pickup vehicles with its Internally Generated Funds (IGF), to strengthen revenue mobilisation, inspection and administrative operations.
The vehicles were officially handed over to the Assembly on Thursday, with Mr Stephen Adom, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), saying the acquisition formed part of measures to improve the Assembly’s operational efficiency.
Mr Adom said when he assumed office, he observed that most of the Assembly’s vehicles were unserviceable, resulting in high maintenance costs and frequent breakdowns.
He said some vehicles would return from the workshop only to develop faults again within a short period, putting additional financial pressure on the Assembly.
“We decided to place an embargo on some of our accounts to serve as a reserve for some of these things. By the grace of God, it has yielded enough, and our revenues are also doing well because of the strategies we have put in place to improve revenue mobilisation,” he said.
Mr Adom said the pickups would primarily support revenue mobilisation and administrative activities, particularly the Building Inspectorate and Works units, which required reliable vehicles to undertake inspections and other field operations.
He said the Assembly was also planning to procure another Toyota Hilux pickup before the end of the year to further strengthen its vehicle fleet.
The MCE said the Assembly would also take steps to repair and refurbish its existing vehicles to reduce expenditure on repeated breakdowns and ensure that more vehicles were available for official duties.
He said some vehicles had remained at workshops for extended periods and had directed that outstanding payments be made to enable the mechanics to complete the repairs.
Mr Adom said vehicles requiring major repairs, including engine replacements, would be fixed and returned to service, while older vehicles at the Assembly would also be refurbished and resprayed.
He said a comprehensive vehicle maintenance plan would be introduced to ensure that all Assembly vehicles received regular servicing and proper attention.
Mr Adom said the Assembly was also taking steps to secure the services of a transport manager, following a directive from the Local Government Ministry encouraging assemblies to recruit professionals to manage their transport systems.
He said the transport manager would be responsible for ensuring strict adherence to the Assembly’s vehicle maintenance schedule.
Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Assembly, Mr Henry Yao Amesimeku, the Municipal Coordinating Director, expressed appreciation to the MCE, Assembly Members and the Finance and Administration Sub-Committee for their efforts and support towards the acquisition.
He said the procurement of the vehicles entirely from the Assembly’s IGF demonstrated the commitment of management and members to improving the Assembly’s operational capacity.
Mr Amesimeku expressed confidence that if the Assembly sustained its current revenue mobilisation efforts, it would be able to procure another vehicle before the end of the year.
He said the additional vehicle would further support the Assembly’s day-to-day operations and improve its ability to manage its activities and finances efficiently.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo