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Electricity Company OF Ghana (ECG), MTN, Vodafone, Glo, and Espresso have been dragged to court by the Ga South Municipal Assembly for refusing on the part of the latter to pay property rate to the Assembly. These companies owe in excess of GH47,000. Speaking to The Independent newspaper, Ben Tabi, the Municipal Prosecutor for Ga South explained that these companies have failed to pay property rate even after the Assembly had used every possible means to get their monies. While taking the "Independent" through the process of paying property rate, the Municipal Prosecutor mentioned that Franchise fee and Business Operating Permit fees are some of the responsibilities for any company that operates within the jurisdiction of the Ga South Municipal Assembly. �Property rates are actually collected in March but we gave these companies enough time considering that it was too early in the year and most companies had now started their operations for the year so we give companies enough time to pay,� Ben Tabi hinted, adding that, ECG, MTN, Vodafone, Glo, Expresso and some individuals have virtually refused to pay their rates. According to him, the Assembly authorities have exhausted all available, amicable ways to let them know the intensively of the matter but all to no avail. �We served them notice to pay but they refused to pay so we resorted to the court to take back our monies,� the Prosecutor added. Ben Tabi said that the decision to take these companies to court is meant to serve as deterrent to other companies and individuals who are refusing to pay their debts. The case is currently before the City Engineers court awaiting ruling.