TDC Ghana Limited has intensified efforts to recover huge sums of money owed it by property owners, some of whom have defaulted for more than a decade.
Speaking during a revenue enforcement exercise in Tema last Monday, the General Manager of Finance and Administration, TDC, Abdul Al-Mumin Yakubu, said, “We are a state-owned enterprise and we have a duty to collect the company’s receivables.
The collection of receivables of state-owned enterprises is a statutory duty. We cannot relent in our responsibility to ensure the financial sustainability of the enterprise.”
He explained that some property owners had failed to meet their payment obligations for close to 10 years, compelling the company to act to safeguard public funds.
“This property, for example, has not paid anything to the company for about 10 years.
We cannot sit down and let such debts remain uncollected.
We are here to enforce the law and recover what belongs to the state,” he added.
Development
The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Limited, Courage M. K. Nunekpeku, reiterated that the exercise was aimed at mobilising critical revenue for national development.
“We are mandated as a state agency to collect revenue for the state, for the necessary development we all want. Whoever owes TDC Ghana Limited, whether residential, commercial or industrial, we will come after you to collect what is due.
“Just look at this huge property. There are banks, supermarkets and several offices operating there, yet the owners have refused to pay even the little they owe to the state. Some have not paid for 10 or 15 years. This must stop,” he stated.
Reminders
Mr Nunekpeku said several attempts, including written notices, meetings and reminders, had been made to get defaulting entities to settle their arrears, but the efforts had yielded little result.
“We have used all available avenues to get people to pay -persuasion, calls and letters- but it has not worked.
This is the last resort before we consider legal action.
“The response has been very impressive.
As we move from place to place, people are paying immediately.
We will continue this exercise until the end of the year,” the Managing Director said.
He explained that the debt recovery operation formed part of the TDC’s strategy to strengthen revenue mobilisation, enhance service delivery and improve dividend payments to the government.
Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
