Gov't To Introduce Digital Property Rate System To Boost MMDAs' Revenue - Ayariga

Government is set to introduce a digital property rate collection system to strengthen the internally generated funds of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced this at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, October 5.

According to him, the new platform will integrate property rate collection with mobile money services and consolidate property and spatial data from relevant national institutions to improve revenue mobilisation.

Mr. Ayariga explained that the reform is aimed at ensuring that statutory property rates are fully captured while eliminating leakages associated with partial payments and the use of middlemen.

"Digital systems will reduce opportunities for partial payments and unnecessary intermediaries, while strengthening transparency and ensuring that the State captures the full statutory rates due," he said.

He added that a significant portion of the revenue generated under the new system will be reinvested into local infrastructure such as roads, streetlights, pavements and drains.

The Minister noted that the reforms will also lay a stronger foundation for innovative municipal financing mechanisms, including municipal bonds where appropriate.