• Statutory organizations charge exorbitant fees to business enterprises.
• The President’s observation is fully supported by the Association.
• Organizations demand money from business houses even when there is no value added to their services.

Zambian Association of Citizen Contractors (ZACCO) says it will support government in ensuring that statutory organizations start charging reasonable fees to business enterprises.
Association General Secretary Danny Simumba told Money FM News that statutory institutions demand for money from business houses even when there is no value added to their services.
Mr. Simumba said the Association therefore supports President Hakainde Hichilema’s observation that the cost of doing business is in a way increased by statutory organizations who charge exorbitant fees.
He stated that the Association further agrees with the President’s observation that the money collected by the statutory bodies is used for their own benefits without delivering any service to business enterprises.
“We are happy to note that the President has observed that the cost of doing business is in a way increased by statutory organizations who charge exorbitant fees to business enterprises. This observation by the President is fully supported by the Association.”
“This is the way to go and we are happy that the President has come to our side and we will be able to support him and his government, to ensure that these statutory organizations begin charging fees that are reasonable,” Mr. Simumba stated.
He said it is high time that something is done about this situation which hinders business growth, adding that the President’s call on the regulatory institutions is timely as this is what stakeholders have been looking forward to for a very long time.

“Many times these organizations demand money from business houses even when there is no value added to their services. Look at the construction industry, we have the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ), we have the National Council for Construction, we have other statutory organizations where we need to pay money for doing nothing,” he lamented.
Officiating at the first Private Sector Day on Monday, President Hakainde Hichilema urged statutory bodies not to make money by killing businesses, adding that he will soon be meeting the heads of statutory organizations and quasi-Government institutions to address issues that include luxury spending.