Northwestern province Minister Joseph Mulyata has advised the local authorities in the province to find other means for revenue collection other than complaining about the abolished grain levy.
Mr Mulyata said the councils should work tirelessly and make use of various legislations in force to generate income and sustain their service delivery to their residents.
The minister said this at the installation ceremony of the mayor Peter Kikatula and his deputy Obedia Nsonge of Solwezi Municipal council held at the civic centre today.
Mr. Mulyata said the council should continue working hard and look for finances by utilizing as many areas of income generation as possible to meet the mandatory obligations as stipulated in the local government Act.
He said although government has abolished the grain levy, it is finding ways and means of compensating the local authorities through disbursement of grants to the councils regularly.
“Government attaches great importance to the operation of the local authorities as they are an important institution in the provision of services to the community.” Mr Mulyata noted
Mr Mulyata said the local government being an institution closer to the people was better placed to effectively act as a mirror of the central government for service delivery adding that it was through councils that local people are given an opportunity to fully exercise democracy as they participate in the affairs that affect them.
He assured the councils that government will committed to improving the environment to foster revenue collection initiatives and shall endeavor to provide resources so as to enable them carry their functions for the betterment and satisfaction of the communities.
Mr Mulyata, therefore, encouraged the civic leaders of Solwezi municipal council to work as a team in order for them to fully achieve their aims and objectives.
“There is need for you to work hard and in harmony with the chief officers and all the employees of the council, resolve all matters in the civic centre chamber.” He emphasised
Speaking earlier newly re-elected and installed Solwezi town Mayor Peter Kikatula pledged to work hard in ensuring that the town becomes a better place in terms of service provision.
Mr Kikatula said the people of Solwezi cannot afford to lag behind in development and appealed to all the residents to contribute if meaningful development was to be realized and thanked his fellow councilors for the confidence they have shown his leadership as well as for re-electing him
[ZANIS]
Yavuta nkhani iyo ka? How?
Any suggetions Mulyata,its easy to say find other means in that poverty stricken council
Bwana minister give specific ideas which can help councils to generate income not just shoting in the air. In the west a certain percentage of all taxes remitted to the central govt is returned by local authorities but in Zed the govt collects everything and asks them to look for alternative ways to raise money!
Indeed the minister should make a suggestion. Kafupi sold all the houses they use to raise money from.
zambia has land enough if the councils could be in a position to biuld houses they could easily raise the revenues they need there are nations which depend on housing units to raise revenues why cant zambia do the same, we shouldnt cry about the sold houses we should look foward to what next , zambia must develop rather than be a nation that only knows to complain about the past