UPLIFT LOCAL COUNCILS - CHONGWE MUNICIPALITY TO MAN TOLL GATE

Dear Editor,

THE core business of any local authority is service delivery to its local citizens, foreigners inclusive and regardless of political or religious affiliation.

This service delivery can be in form of the good road network in townships, quality water, health and to some extent education. However, to do this, councils have to have a steady income in form of revenue collections.

Prior to 1991, councils had houses, ran water departments, and many other income generating ventures, but now these have been privatised and some councils have almost come to their knees.

I wish therefore to salute Chongwe Municipal council for coming up with the valuation of buildings in the district and charging fees per stage per each building. Though whatever will be raised is a drop in an ocean, I appeal to residents to comply with council inspectors and pay what is owed so that together we can develop our district. It is unacceptable that Chongwe, which is a stone’s throw from Lusaka, is a million miles away in terms of development! The township roads are in deplorable condition, and water is always a problem though provided by Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company.

This water is so dirty that one doesn't need a microscope to see impurities. While efforts have been made to name street roads, there is need to upgrade such road to bitimous standard to improve the lifespan of cars.

There is also need to lit the streets possibly with solar power street lights. It won't be a bad idea for our Mayor and his team to visit and learn from other districts that have successfully installed solar street lights like Nyimba, Sinda, Petauke, Mazabuka etc.

However, this is a mammoth task and Central government need to assist the Local Authority in one way or the other. For instance, it is absurd that as Chongwe, we host Toll Gates and yet our roads are in deplorable conditions. We have the biggest international airport and yet we do not benefit from the landing and taking off fees.

Hence I call upon the management of Chongwe Municipal council to claim what belongs to them. Toll fees must be shared equally each month between NRFA and Chongwe Municipal council.

The fees are meant to mend and maintain roads, so what is the use of having the Toll gate to raise money for other districts? Unless our Council approaches these cases with the urgency they deserve, we shall always lag behind and each MP, Councillors and Mayor will be making the same campaign promises which will yield no result.

Time to act is now, rather than wait for campaign time which is slowly approaching, and what will people point at? Together, we can develop our Chongwe

CHAKWIYA BORNFACE CHONGWE