INTRODUCTION
One of the mandates of the Assembly is to mobilize revenue so as to improve upon its Internally Generated Funds. In view of this, there is a need for all business owners to pay their Business Operating Permit annually.
The gazetted fee-fixing resolution was incorporated in the Revenue Management System and this was used in generating invoices for rate payers. These invoices were generated taking into consideration; the size of business, type of business, location of business, type of business category etc.
2023 BILL AND ITS NEW FEATURES
The 2023 bills printed comprised the Assembly’s bank account details, the Assembly’s MTN momo number and the Assembly’s contact number to receive complaints. The 2023 bills had been simplified and easy to be understood by rate payers.
PAYMENT THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ERMS)
The revenue collectors were to ensure that 2022 receipts issued to rate payers are checked and captured into the ERMS if not already captured and thus all monies received should be receipted accordingly.
HANDLING OF PUBLIC FUNDS
As per the Public Financial Management Act, all public funds received were to be accounted for and closed within 24hrs of receipt. Revenue Collectors were also reminded to bring all cash books and bank deposit slips when coming to close at the Account Office. Besides, the Revenue Collectors should be vigilant and report issues of knowledge of foreign General Counterfoil Receipts (GCR) they came across on the field. They were also not to make themselves repository of these foreign GCRs.
REVENUE PERFOMANCES
To improve upon the revenue mobilization, revenue collectors were tasked to go the extra mile since the internally generated fund was one of the major revenue sources of the Assembly in carrying out its programes and projects.
Revenue Collectors were tasked to conduct themselves well so as to win the confidence of rate payers. They were to dress decently, keep their calm in the discharge of their duties. They are expected to also apprise themselves of the Assembly’s project and mandates. They were also to conduct themselves as true ambassadors of the Assembly.
ZONAL COUNCILS AND THEIR DUTIES
The Zonal Council Secretaries present were cautioned to collect monies from areas or businesses ceded to them by the General Assembly.
HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS BEING RAISED BY RATE PAYERS
The revenue collectors were advised to put up their best behaviour in attending to rate payers. All complaints are to be brought to the Accounts unit for rectification. They are to work and represent the Assembly in utmost good faith.
The revenue collectors were thereafter taken through an electronic complaint form designed by the MIS unit for easy redress.
PROSECUTING OF RATE DEFAULTERS
When the floor was opened for questions, one of the participants sought to know what will be done to recalcitrant rate payers. The response to the question was that the Assembly was already in court prosecuting defaulters for 2022 and that the Municipal Assembly had the full backing of the District Magistrate Court.
CONCLUSION
The engagement with the Revenue Collectors was very fruitful and successful. The idea of a reliable contact number for rate payers is not far-fetched. This initiative will lessen the transport burden on rate payers as well as make payment easy.
Moreover, it will be of great help to the Assembly if more awareness is created on the need and purpose to pay business operating permit.
Moreso the Assembly should try and distribute bills before the end of first quarter each year. This will enable rate payers prepare and pay on time to expand the revenue base.
In addition, the Assembly should see to it that all Zonal Councils bring monies from their ceded revenues and this will also enable the Zonal Councils receive their entitled parity from the Assembly. In conclusion, the Assembly should continue prosecuting recalcitrant rate payers.