The Coordinating Director, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), Mr John Owu, who made the call, noted that quality data was critical in the country’s quest to harness revenue and resources for development.

Mr Owu was speaking at the opening of the hearing of regional composite budget for 2023-2026, in Sekondi, on Thursday.

He added “MMDAs should be data-driven in revenue mobilisation. Recently, we needed data on temporary structures in Takoradi sub- metro and, we had 400. Later, after another counting, we got close to 4,000.

“So, as part of our policy direction from next year, we will get data solely for monitoring and improved revenue collection.”

Mr Owu said that the budget hearing afforded MMDAs the opportunity to align programmes with government policy and that every assembly must consider the strength of its local economy.

The Metropolitan Budget Analyst, Kingsley Bennet Nunoo, said the vision of STMA was to create a world class city with modern infrastructure, social services, best governance and attractive business.

“Our mission is to improve living conditions of people in the metropolis through the provision of sustainable socio-economic development and good governance that is responsive to the needs of the people,” he added.

Key achievements for 2022, Mr Nunoo mentioned, included the ongoing 48 million Euro Takoradi market circle project, funded by Government of Ghana, the  Sofokrom transit haulage terminal and Sekondi market project under Private Partnership (PPP), which  would begin next year.

He said,  the STMA 2023 projected expenditure, showed that, a total  of  GH¢6,576,469 would go into infrastructure  and management,GH ¢3, 751,024 on economic development, which included completion  of Takoradi market, implementation of agric sector  activities and environmental  and sanitation, costing GH ¢2,150,625.

Mr Nunoo said STMA would spend GH  ¢906,401 under free SHS to support needy students and rehabilitation of structures, and GH ¢1, 205,000 on monitoring and skills training.

He said, for one district one factory (1D1F) programme, STMA had earmarked GH ¢ 56,000 for monitoring whiles GH ¢ 540,630 would be spent under the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD).

Mr Nunoo revealed that STMA had projected to spend about GH ¢1,270 on sanitation (liquid waste) while another GH ¢ 1,699,908 would be expended  on management of land fill site and waste management.