The Assembly Member for Tangasia Electoral Area in the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region, Mr. Justice Basungnizie Isaac, has called for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) provide members of the Assemblies motorbikes to carry out their operations.
He said that Assemblies should make motorbikes allocated to Assembly members available to them for use before they leave office in order to assist them in effectively carrying out their duties.
In an Interview with Info Radio, Mr. Basungnizie could not understand why members of the MMDAs would be motorbikes only after their office tenures have expired when indeed, they needed them to work while in office.
He explained that Assembly Members struggle to go round their electoral areas to access first-hand information and address concerns of the communities they represent.
He cited that “quiet recently, a community member of my electoral area nearly lost her life but for the availability of my personal motorbike”, as a result.
Mr. Basungnizie also indicated that Assembly Members do a lot of work but are not paid for their industriousness and efforts to champion the course of decentralization in the country.
He said Assembly Members attend meetings and are not even paid sitting allowances with the excuse that there is no money, what he described as lack of commitment on the part of government.
He however, stated that Assembly members are willing and ever ready to partner with Members of Parliament in developing the various districts if only they are willing to sacrifice some little cash to spearhead their activities.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Member has bemoaned the deplorable state of roads within his Electoral Area, making life a daily tussle in the area.
However, he noted that a contractor was working on some of the roads but has since stopped work because he has not been paid by the government.
The Assembly Member therefore appealed the government and all who matter to give consideration to his concerns.