By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Luanshya Municipal Council has called on property owners to pay rates as they owe the Local Authority a total sum of K 24, 778,668 -08, in unremitted property rates by owners of residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Luanshya Municipal Council Public Relations Manager Gideon Thole said the Local authority is calling on property owners to fulfil their obligation to pay rates immediately after receiving the bills which are distributed after every six months.
Mr Thole said Council records shows that for the period of January 1 up to July 31, 2022, property owners owe Luanshya Municipal Council K14, 921, 329 -06.
He also said industrial and commercial property owners are expected to pay K 9,857,339-02 which has not been remitted.
Mr Thole said property owners are encouraged to engage the Council’s department of finance which has come up with a payment plan facilitating for the settling of rates arrears in instalments to avoid bailiffs pouncing on them after being served with demand notices.
He said failure to settle outstanding rates arrears on time has negatively affected the Council’s ability to efficiently implement its service delivery mandate.
Mr Thole also said the Local Authority has embarked on the locally generated revenue financed Restore Luanshya Campaign, which aims at reclaiming the Garden Town status.
“The initiative has among others come up with sustained concerted efforts aimed at addressing challenges in the areas of: infrastructure development, waste management and Keep Luanshya Clean Campaign.
“The Council further wish to assure rate payers that efforts are being made to sustain the continued modernisation of service provision bills delivery system and stakeholders’ engagement in order to improve the levels of efficiency and maximise the service delivery benefits to residents,” he said.
