The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon Samuel Pyne has presented 70 pieces of Point Of Sales internet connected devices to revenue officers and collectors at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
The use of the devices, the Mayor stressed would enhance revenue collection and mobilisation at the Assembly.
Addressing the media, Hon Pyne said the idea behind the supply of PoS devices was to eliminate some of the human flaws in revenue collection including undercutting, underwriting, thefts and underdeclaration of monies.
“In tackling the challenges in revenue generation and mobilisation at the Assembly, we sought for support from some of our development partners and we have been able to do a database of almost all businesses and properties in Kumasi and so we needed to procure devices for our revenue officers that would also eliminate human shortcomings so that we can collect, print and issue receipts and also record same at our data room”, the Mayor stated.
Caution:
Presenting the devices to the revenue officers at the Assembly including those at the Subin, Nhyiaeso, Bantama, Manhyia North and South sub-metros, the Mayor asked the staff to be diligent in their work.
He cautioned that anyone caught to have engaged in anything that would short-change the Assembly would be dismissed for the offences committed.
The Mayor stressed that their work was cut out for them to collect revenue due the Assembly and issue receipts to the effect of same.
“The KMA is committed to collecting all revenue due it and so as officers your work is to go and collect the revenue and issue receipts to people keeping in mind that anything you do contrary to this would be met with ruthless sanctions including dismissal”, the Mayor cautioned.
Presiding Member:
The Presiding Member at the KMA, Hon Patrick Kwame Frimpong speaking after a public demonstration by the technical team on the usage of the PoS Devices, urged the revenue officers to work with dedication and help the Assembly shore up its revenue to apply same to the many projects it intends to carry out.
He charged them to refrain from criminal practices that would cause them to be arrested and prosecuted.
Assembly Member:
Hon James Nana Prempeh, Assembly Member for the Fankyenebra Electoral Area reminded the revenue collectors and officers the delicate nature of the PoS devices.
He said anyone caught to have deliberately done anything to make the device to malfunction would be dealt with ruthlessly.
Metro Finance Director:
Taking the media on a tour of the specially designed data room at the KMA, Metropolitan Director of Finance, Mr Abbam Adjei said the system has been fixed to record payments.
He noted that immediately payment is made the system issues command for the printing of receipts instantaneously as well as the recording of same on the database.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.