BY NANA AMA PREBAH
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has reacted to the front page story of Tuesday 20th October edition of TODAY which had the banner headline: ‘FRAUD IN TEMA ASSEMBLY’.
Speaking in an interview with TODAY at his office in Tema, Mr. Frank Asante, TMA Public Relations Officer (PRO) stated that “the story is not true.”
He added: “There is no fraud in TMA, there is nothing like massive extortion going on in the Assembly.”
Mr. Asante noted that the Assembly does not engage in any illegal money extortion and believes that the accusation is an attempt by non-law abiding drivers and hawkers to malign the Assembly.
He also added that the Assembly collaborates with the police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) to arrest and fine indiscipline drivers, who consciously violate laid down rules and regulations.
The PRO continued that a fine of GH¢50.00 is the approved fee per the fee fixing regulation of the Assembly. He gave documentary evidence on how money collected was accounted for.
Mr. Asante was quick to state that foodstuff were not collected from any market women at all, but from those who have resorted to selling on pavements and the streets.
“Most of these women have sheds in the main market,” he disclosed.
“We have documents that prove and testify that foodstuffs which were collected from these recalcitrant women were given out for charity.”
However, Mr. Asante admitted the fact that the Assembly is a human institution and hat there was the likelihood that some staff would use the institution to engage in untoward activities.
He, therefore, appealed to the general public to report these people to the Assembly when they are identified for the necessary action to be taken.