North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Colonel Grandson Katambi (Retired) has called on the Ministry of Lands to develop an efficient billing mechanism that will allow ground rates to be issued on a monthly basis. Colonel Katambi said the current practice of issuing ground rate bills after long periods has made it difficult for citizens to meet their obligations. He was speaking in Solwezi today when Ministry of Lands Director for Planning and Information William Nyundu paid a courtesy call on him.
“When it comes to ground rates, we as government are partly to blame because the bills are issued after five to six years, which becomes too expensive for an ordinary citizen to pay,” Colonel Katambi said. The Permanent Secretary was responding to concerns raised by Mr Nyundu who urged citizens to take the payment of ground rates seriously. While acknowledging the importance of citizens fulfilling their civic duty by paying ground rates, Colonel Katambi emphasised that government must make the process easier and more accessible.
Meanwhile, Mr Nyundu urged citizens to secure their land by acquiring title deeds noting that land titling not only safeguards property ownership but also enables government to raise revenue. Mr Nyundu further disclosed that the Ministry was in the province to sensitise the public on its online services and the importance of land titling.
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