Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama has stated that the former President, John Dramani Mahama, has nothing to offer, insisting that even his promises to Assembly Members are just political talk to win the 2020 general elections.
The former president met with Assembly Members and promised to pay them monthly allowances or salaries if he is elected as president in the 2020 general elections, she stated.
But at a sod cutting ceremony to pave way for the construction of Nsukwoa Basin Drainage Improvement Project at Ada in the Eastern Region, Hajia Alima recalled that the promise was captured in the 2012 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but failed to fulfill those promises when they came to power.
She added that the former President knew the Assembly Members were about 10, 000 yet failed to put them on pay roll during his tenure.
She then reiterated that, “they have no argument against the present performance in decentralization and local development so they are making roof-top promises that they cannot offer”.
Citing some instances, she said under Mahama, the NDC failed to fulfill the promise of giving motor bikes to the Assemblies but the NPP has done that.
Meanwhile, the minister has appealed to the various assemblies to intensify the collection of revenues – Internally Generated Funds – to enable them increase the allowances of Assembly Members.
Hajia Alima Mahama has hinted that very soon Assembly Members will be given a quota out of the common fund to continue with development in their various jurisdictions.
