Zomba District Council says it will expand its revenue collection base by exploring other business areas that were operating without a council licence or paying council tax.
This was said in Mangochi on Friday when the district’s council members, officers, business people, traditional leaders and law enforcement officers convened to discuss new ways of assisting the council on how it can maximise its resources for revenue generation as well as scrutinise a report of the Mega Business Licenses Campaign.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Fredrick Missinjo, said the meeting was crucial because it revealed many untapped opportunities that the council could use to boost its income.
Missinjo added that he is optimistic that these new areas will help the council reach its target of the 2026/27 financial year budget, given that so far, the council has collected 57 percent of the projected funds.
“We have agreed to expand our revenue base by reaching businesses we never approached before. For instance, we have fishers and boat owners along Lake Chilwa who are operating with no licenses. There are also plenty of motorbike operators in our trading centres. All these will be approached,” said Missinjo.
The District Commissioner further assured the participants that his office will address the challenges that were raised, adopt and roll out the new strategies and expand the already existing opportunities to ensure compliance from all business owners.
However, Missinjo was quick to note that there may be resistance from those who have never obtained a license from the council before but he assured them that the money collected will be used accordingly.
“These funds will be used as per the council’s plans which were outlined and approved by the councillors during the budget presentation meeting early this year,” stated Missinjo.
Council Chairperson for Zomba, Baster Chirwa, welcomed the idea, adding that if every business can adhere to obtaining a council business licence, then Zomba District will be transformed for the better.
“As councillors, we believe that as long as there will be enough awareness on the business licenses for those that did not have them before, then we will not have problems convincing them to start paying,” explained Chirwa.
