Sat, 24 Feb 2018 10:07:23 +0000
By ROGERS KALERO
KITWE City Council (KCC) has reduced accrued rental arrears owed by tenants at Nakadoli market following concerns raised by President Edgar Lungu on his last visit to the market.
The rental arrears have been slashed by 60 percent with the balance of 40 percent to be paid in four months effective March 1st, 2018.
Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe, said in a press statement released to the Daily Nation that the move to reduce the arrears was also arrived at in an effort to support the growth of the informal sector in the city.
Mr Kang’ombe said monthly rental charges for the different categories of shops have also been reduced by an average of 21 percent meaning that those shops which were pegged at K140 would still be applicable at the same rate while those which were pegged at K210 have been reduced to K160.
These rentals which were at K245 have been reduced to K200, those which were paged at K417 have been reduced to K330.
Rentals that were at K569 have been reduced to K450, while those which were at K1, 050 have been reduced to K840 and those which were at K1, 575 have been reduced to K1, 200.
According to Mr. Kang’ombe all shop tenants at Buchi and Ndeke markets currently paying K150 on monthly basis would now be paying K140.
On the outstanding electricity bills accumulated as far back as 2009, Mr. Kang’ombe disclosed that tenants would not be required to settle the old bills.
“As a way forward, the council is in discussion with ZESCO on how to administratively handle the accrued debt.
“Further the council has proposed that all shops be put on prepaid system to allow each tenant to manage his or her electricity expenses to avoid the inconveniences being experienced,” Mr Kang’ombe explained.
He also said major rehabilitation works have commenced on the toilets with replacement of damaged cisterns, sinks and pipes to enhance supply of water, adding that minor structural cracks have been sealed and the infrastructure would be given a fresh coat of paint.
He said routine collection of garbage has continued despite the council having limited equipment to cover the other 25 markets falling within the Kitwe City Council jurisdiction.
“I wish to indicate that, as a long term measure, Nakadoli market requires major upgrading of infrastructure by making provision of a bus station, market depots and market shelters for an extra 1,600 street vendors to be accommodated at the market.
“We are therefore working out a bill of quantities for the works to be submitted to central government for funding as requested by President Lungu,” he said.
