Maravi

Kang’ombe calls on CCS to settle K9bn land rates debt

Kang’ombe calls on CCS to settle K9bn land rates debt
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Fri 04 June 2010, 04:00 CAT

IT is irresponsible for Chambishi Copper Smelter (CCS) to refuse to pay land rates to Kalulushi Municipal Council, Kitwe’s Riverside ward councillor Christopher Kang’ombe has charged.

In a statement yesterday, Kang’ombe demanded that the K9 billion owed to Kalulushi council must be settled immediately to enable the local authority provide services to residents.

CCS owes Kalulushi Council about K9 billion in unpaid rates and despite being given a 30 per cent rebate, the company has still failed to pay the money thereby hampering the council’s operations especially in service delivery.

“We all know that this local authority has very few sources of income and as such the outstanding K9 billion must be settled immediately,” he stated.

Kang’ombe accused the government of continually passing legislation that not only affected council operations but also undermined the legitimacy and relevance of elected officials.

“The same government is on record to have issued statements that have hampered collection of land rates in most districts and I’m therefore disappointed to learn that the same lack of political will is being exhibited by the same government which must be in the forefront of encouraging the investors to pay their obligations to local councils,” he stated.

He stated that the government’s double standards should be challenged by every well-meaning citizen because if they were allowed to continue, even ordinary Zambians would begin refusing to pay rates.

Kang’ombe stated that most councils on the Copperbelt had no alternative sources of revenue other than mining companies and wondered what would happen if mining companies in other districts stopped remitting rates to respective local authorities.

“The government risks setting a bad precedence of other mining companies asking ‘what is so special about the Chinese investors at the Chambishi Copper Smelter’ who in my opinion must be treated in the same way as other investors,” Kang’ombe stated.

He stated that Zambians had nothing against Chinese investment but problems would arise if people heard that they Chinese investors were refusing to pay land rates.

Kang’ombe urged the government to stop interfering with the operations of councils.

Kang’ombe also urged CCS to start attracting goodwill from Zambians by paying their workers well and ensuring that they meet the country’s legal provisions by paying land rates.

Labels: CHAMBISHI COPPER SMELTER, CHAMBISHI MINE, CHRISTOPHER KANG'OMBE, CORRUPTION, COUNCILS

posted by MrK @ 5:55 AM