……..Warns against unlicensed business operators
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Lilongwe District Council is doing well in revenues collection from traders and dwellers that the council is able to meet its operation costs without debts.
Addressing the new conference on Monday, March 28, 2022, Lilongwe District Commissioner Lawford Palani disclosed that the council managed to collect MK191 million from licenses and permits in the financial year July 2021 to March 15 2022.
Palani says the figures represents 124% as the council budgeted to collect MK155 million within the period.
He added that the council has collected MK132 million out of the budgeted MK177 million from Market establishment fees.
“On service charges fees, we managed to collect MK173 million out of the budgeted MK248 million. On income from commercial ventures we collected MK112 million out of the budgeted MK85 million and this leads to MK611 million total revenue which represents 92%” said Palani.
Palani has told the media, the funds collected have been used for payment of salaries for staff, councilors honoraria fand construction of market infrastructure and among others.
The District Commissioner however disclosed that the council will soon start issuance and renewal of business premises licenses for 2022/2023 financial year which shall be valid from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.
According to Palani, individuals or body corporate carrying out a business will have to apply for a business license at a fee of MK5, 000 and a license will be issued upon payment of a fee.
He says businesses that will not have renewed their licenses by June 30, 2022 will be closed in accordance with Lilongwe District Council Bylaws.
