The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has directed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to fix all broken streetlights in their respective areas within two-weeks.
The Minister who expressed worry over the malfunctioning of the Street lights was speaking at a Media Engagement in Accra on Thursday with all the MMDCEs in attendance.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo
She revealed that her office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, has secured 3,000 streetlights to be shared among the assemblies, with each MMDA receiving 100.
she however insisted that assemblies must also make their own purchases to ensure all streets are properly lit.
“Let me be clear, you have two weeks only to ensure that every single one of those lights is fixed. No excuses, no delays. I will personally monitor this directive. Any chief executive who fails to comply will be exposed and reported. If you cannot manage these basic tasks, then you have no business occupying that office,” she warned
Madam Ocloo said poor lighting, sanitation problems, and the spread of illegal billboards were clear signs of neglect by some assemblies.
Some of the MMDCES at thr programme
“At this stage, excuses are nothing but an embarrassment to the people we serve. Leadership is not about sitting in offices and enjoying the perks of your position, but it’s about delivering results, and right now, many of you are simply sleeping on your jobs,” she said.
She said that streetlights are not just infrastructure but “a matter of public safety, urban order and a key enabler of the 24-hour economy being pursued by government
The Minister, who gave the MMDCEs a platform to address the media also raised concerns about how some MMDCEs are abusing their offices by allowing personal assistants (PAs) to perform official duties and by using assembly offices for partisan political meetings.
“Some of you have surrounded yourselves with personal assistants who have virtually taken over your official responsibilities. If you have decided to bring PAs, let them be clear, their role is strictly to help you organise your schedules, manage your time and provide administrative support. Your PAs are not to approve documents or represent you at official meetings. This must stop immediately,” she cautioned.
“Assemblies cannot run by unelected, unappointed individuals hiding behind your authority. Furthermore, I have reports that many of you have also turned your official offices into party meeting grounds, filling them with unauthorised officials and visitors, while your staff… are denied access to discuss official matters. This is abuse of office and is unacceptable,” she added
“This practice ends now, and if it continues, the individuals involved will face serious consequences,” she said.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
