• LCC recorded a 17 percent drop in revenue collection in 2020.
• The drop has created pressure on council finances, resulting in delayed payment of salaries.
• Local authority is doing everything possible to normalize the situation.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has recorded a 17 percent drop in revenue collection in the 2020 financial year.
According to a statement made available to Money FM News, LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba says the 17 percent drop in revenue, which has been attributed to the COVID 19 pandemic, translates into about K53 Million.
“You may be aware that during the year under review, some businesses partially closed while others closed down completely,” he said
“The people that were affected could not manage to pay for municipal services hence leading to a reduction in revenue collection for fees and charges by 17 percent.”
Mr. Sichimba said The Council had projected to collect K321, 534, 794.00 but only managed to collect K268, 322, 273.00.
“This has resulted in pressure on our coffers leading to delayed payment of salaries,” he said.
Mr Sichimba says it is hoped that once the new Valuation Roll of 2019 is approved and implemented, the revenue base of the Council will increase from the current K80, 000, 000.00 to K210, 000, 000.00 and mitigate some of the challenges it is facing.