By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, May 24, Mana: Rumphi District Council, has revised upwards business licence fees to increase its purse for improved services delivery amidst economic shock which the country is currently going through.

Among others, daily market fee has been raised from K300.00 to K500.00 depending on the size of business, annual license fees for lodges has been increased from K100, 000 to K150, 000. While private clinics will be paying K75, 000 from K50, 000.

Night clubs will be expected to pay K150, 000 from K100, 000 as hardware shops will pay K150, 000 from K100, 000.

Speaking during a full council meeting, Chairperson for Rumphi District Council, Harry Munyenyembe said the revision of the fees will translate to provision of good public business premises.

“With these adjustments, we expect increased local revenue generation, thereby providing improved services to the expectation of the public, besides improving the council’s operations,” said Munyenyembe.

Munyenyembe added that the council is struggling to provide sanitation facilities in some markets due to resource constraints and was optimistic that situation will improve with increased revenue generation.

A representative of Rumphi Business Community, Wisdom Chibankhuni Nyirenda described the revised fees as reasonable.

“We all know that the cost of goods and services have gone up. This was expected, but we also hope that the council will be able to provide services that they can’t manage at the moment. We need to see improved waste management and construction of sanitation facilities in some markets,” said Nyirenda.

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said different fees which the council charges are necessary for the authority to develop and urged fellow traditional leaders to lead in sensitising their subjects about the revised fees.