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Weak By-Law Halts Revenue Collection in Ntcheu

Councilor Ezra Mike, NU Council Finance and Audit Committee Chairperson Councilor Ezra Mike, NU Council Finance and Audit Committee Chairperson

Ntcheu District Council says it is struggling to collect enough revenue in its markets as evidenced in the 2019/2020 financial year where it has only managed to collect about 97 Million Kwacha against over 179 Million it projected.

Finance and Audit Committee Chairperson for the council, Councillor Ezra Mike told Zodiak Online Wednesday that lawlessness on part of authority's to enforce by-laws in its markets is a challenge.

"Our market boundaries have been encroached where communities are also collecting revenue on our behalf," he said adding that such tendency has weakened councils revenue thereby halting service delivery.

He however says council will make a follow up to ensure that such laws are strengthened aimed at addressing the issue at hand.

His sentiment follows an accountability forum on market revenue and service delivery by one Local Government Accountability and Performance (LGAP) Wednesday in Ntcheu.

Pengapenga Market Chairperson, Leonard Zam'mimba has accused communities for lacking knowledge on how markets operate.

"This is now becoming common in most markets across the district hence the need to civic educate communities to improve service delivery," he said.

Apart from Ntcheu, LGAP with funding from USAID and UK Aid has held similar engagements in districts such as Ntchisi, Nkhotakota, Mulanje, Mangochi, Nsanje, Blanytre, Rumphi, Chikhwawa and Mwanza among others.

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