THE EQUALISATION FUND
Dear Editor,
WHEN Government released the Local Government Equalisation Fund, people were pleased, but there was nothing to be happy about councils getting a hand out from the central government, when they have an opportunity to be self-sustaining.
Take for instance Kabwe Municipal Council, every night trucks park all over the town. Why can’t the council make money by making a truck stop and enforce the law on truck parking, thereby the hundreds of trucks will be forced to park at the council truck stop.
Right now, the only people making money are guards who charge money for parking spots and prostitutes who frequent the illegal truck stops.
One area where councils can make money is housing, providing affordable housing. Councils already have access to land. Instead of selling all of it, it’s time they partnered with local banks to fund the construction of low cost houses and flats for rent.
Any reasonable bank would fund such an ambitious venture. The collateral is the houses built.
Councils need to wake up and think outside the box. Time for waiting for handouts from the central government is over.
KATIMBA CHISANGA.
