Small Scales Industries calls for collaboration with MMDAs

By: Edmond Gyebi, Tamale

The Northern Regional Chairman of the Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI), Mr. Saeed Abdul-Moomen, has called for strong collaboration between the association and the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), to ensure effective internal revenue mobilisation.

There has been growing hostility between the small scale enterprises and revenue collectors of the MMDAs, which is negatively affecting revenue mobilisation in the various communities in the Northern Region.

A research conducted by the Association of Small Scale Industries in the Northern Region, attributed this unfriendly relationship to the lack of a representation of the small scale enterprises in the decision-making processes of the assemblies.

The research, financed by the BUSAC Fund, sought to identify the extent to which private sector operators were involved in decisions that affect their businesses at the various assemblies in the region.

To reverse the trend, Mr. Saeed Abdul-Moomen, at a press briefing in Tamale on the findings of the research, recommended the establishment of Private Sector Desks in all assemblies to serve as a liaison between the two stakeholders.

He observed that the assemblies could win the confidence of the ASSI members in honouring their tax obligations without any ill feelings, to drastically increase their revenue mobilisation, if all fee fixings were well discussed between the two parties.

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