MBINGA DC URGES MBINGA TOWN COUNCIL TO BOOST OWN SOURCE REVENUE

Tarehe ya kuwekwa: February 9th, 2024

By Alex Nelson Malanga

Information Officer…Mbinga TC

Mbinga. Mbinga District Commissioner Hon. Aziza Mangosongo has challenged Mbinga Town Council to come up with new revenue sources with a view to boosting revenue collection.

She made a call on Thursday, February 8, 2024 during the Council Meeting for the Second Quarter of the 2023/24 Financial Year, that was held at Mbinga Town Council’s Oddo Mwisho Conference Hall.

Going by the official data, during the 2022/23 Financial Year, Mbinga Town Council’s own source revenues stood at 2.127 billion.

Of the amount, some Sh1.564 billion is own source proper (non-protected), with the remaining Sh564 million (0.564 billion) being protected revenue.

The figures say it all….Mbinga Town Council is doing well, but it can do even better.  

“You need to be more robust in identifying untapped areas of revenue collection to not only enhance Mbinga Town Council’s tax base but also make it better functioning entity,” said Hon. Aziza.

In a swift rejoinder, Mbinga Town Council Chairperson Hon. Kelvin Mapunda and Town Director Ms. Amina Seif accepted the challenge, saying they will do whatever it takes to boost revenue collection.

Hon. Mapunda said: “Hon. District Commissioner, we have heard your directives and we are ready to act accordingly so that we can hit and even surpass this  financia year's target.”

Mbinga Town Council is set to collect Sh2.476 billion in the current financial year.

Of the amount, some Sh1.88 billion is own source proper, with the rest being protected revenue.

District Commissioner’s directive requiring Mbinga Town Council to pull up its socks, holds water given the fact that for any government to function well and deliver proper services to its citizens, it has to raise revenue, which calls for taxation.

Noting that the Mbinga Town Council’s management will with might and main play its part to raise revenue, Ms. Amina said citizens for their part need to play their part too.  

“It is time that Mbinga Town dwellers change their mindset and realize that they hold the destiny of the country thus obliged to honour their tax obligations,” stressed Ms. Amina.

Mbangamao Councillor Hon. Adregot Mangililwe said for the Mbinga Town Council to increase its revenue collection, it needs to use task forces.

“Proper service delivery to citizens requires funds. This is an obligation that government has to undertake and it all boils down to collecting revenue through taxation,” expounded Hon. Mangililwe.