Despite complaints by residents in Tema of the latest high property rates charged, the area’s MCE has mounted a strong defence that, that is the only way Tema can be restored to its past glory.
Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La explained that the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) cannot continuously be dependent on the central government for funds to provide basic developments to make life better for the residents.
“The central government is heavily laden with national developments and as an assembly, we have to get the residents to agree with us by charging a little more rate than they used to pay to, at least, get our infrastructural deficits reduced. I agree that times are hard but we need our residents to bear
with the assembly too,” the MCE told a section of the media last Monday, when the TMA eulogised 250 senior citizens in the metropolis.
The beneficiaries came from every walk of life, whose contributions during their hay days, had made Tema the hub of employment.
Due to increasing population coupled with businesses springing up in Tema, thereby heavily congesting Tema and, thus, making the once upon a time well-planned Harbour City a shanty, Mr Anang-La has ‘birthed’ an agenda, dubbed:
‘Tema Restoration’, to replan the metropolis. Among the agenda include the rehabbing of dilapidated sewers, regularly conscientising the residents to clean and desilt drains, increase day and night security, building better roads and bus
terminals, modern markets and health facilities” and all these hinge on the rates and tolls we will collect from our people, who will be the beneficiaries of these developments.
“So you see, we have good reasons for increasing our property rates,” he defended.
Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La thanked the senior citizens for their patriotism and reverence to their environment, good attitudes that today’s youth have failed to emulate.
Based on this, he said Tema would need the pieces of wise counselling and guidance of the senior citizens to shape the ill-mannered youth, most of whom have failed to show glimpses of hope that they can manage the affairs of this country, should they have their turn in high positions.
Story by Umar Sheriff / awakenewsonline.com
