ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF RATE PAYERS FOR EFFECTIVE LOCAL REVENUE MOBILIZATION WITHIN METROPOLITAN/MUNICIPAL/DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES (MMDAS): A CASE OF NEW JUABEN MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY (NJMA)

MMDAs rely on local taxes, levies, rates, fees and licenses collected from local business operators for their internally generated funds. This study has been conducted to survey challenges facing rate payers and suggestions on how to address these issues. Over 1 000 local business operators cutting across various localities within the New Juaben Municipality were interviewed. The study revealed that rate collectors and rate payers have cordial working relationship and that rate payers are willing to pay the monthly rate called Business Operating Permit (BOP) rate which is a rate paid by local business operators for the right to do business within the municipality. However, rate payers lament on the lack of public sanitation facilities, unfair distribution of newly constructed stores, unhygienic environment of the Municipality, high BOP rate, unprofessional character of some rate collectors, and many more. Those interviewed suggested ways to improve on the working relationship between rate collectors and rate payers such as the need for consultation and notification before new rate and/or new revenue collectors are introduced, sensitization of the public on the role and activities of NJMA, creating incentives for local business growth, etc.