Likoma District Council has announced that it will not introduce new levies but will instead intensify the enforcement of existing ones as part of its strategy to enhance service delivery in the district.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the Director of Finance for Likoma District Council, Wilson Muziya, said the decision aligns with the council’s goal of fulfilling its mandate under the Local Government Act, which emphasizes the provision of essential social services to communities.
Muziya explained that, like all councils in Malawi, Likoma District Council is empowered by law to collect fees from businesses and market operators within its jurisdiction.
However, he noted that one of the major obstacles to effective service delivery has been the council’s narrow revenue base and the reluctance of some economic sectors to comply with levy regulations.
According to Muziya, enforcing existing levies will help the council generate much-needed revenue to fund critical services such as improving hygiene and sanitation facilities, installing security lighting, and constructing shelters at fishing sites.
He assured residents that the council will operate transparently and accountably, emphasizing that citizens will soon begin to see tangible improvements in local infrastructure and services as compliance levels increase.
Muziya further revealed that the council has already begun collecting levies from Mozambican boat operators at Mbamba Bay, and that the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu-based businessman Mathias Kazembe appealed to the council to prioritize sanitation along the lakeshore by using part of the levy revenue to build public toilets and bathrooms.
Kazembe described the current situation as dire, saying that most residents are forced to walk long distances to use toilets at Jalo Market, where each visit costs K300.
He noted that during emergencies, such as when suffering from diarrhoea, individuals may spend more than K3,000 a day just to access toilet facilities.
Kazembe added that some mothers resort to digging holes along the beach for their children to relieve themselves, a practice that poses serious health risks, especially during the rainy season.
He urged the council to act swiftly, warning that continued neglect of sanitation issues could lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
As Likoma District Council moves forward with its renewed enforcement strategy, residents remain hopeful that the initiative will not only boost revenue collection but also translate into improved hygiene, safety, and quality of life for the island’s communities.
