By Chinoyi Chipulu
Eureka Park Residents Association have object the increase of ratable percentage by 300% by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) as they do not provide the services they are required to provide.
In a letter addressed to LCC, Eureka Park Residents Association
Interim Chairman Allan Ellis stated argued that the ratable percentage had been 0.0005 per half year (0.001 per year) which had been revised to 0.003 per year.
Ellis stated that the association strongly objected the increase because where the value of the land or leasehold is revalued on a regular basis, there should be no need to also increase the percentage charged.
“The residents and land owners of Eureka Park hereby object to the recent main valuation roll for 2024 received by our members, in particular the ratable percentage. In the past, the ratable percentage has been 0.0005 per half year (0.001 per year). This has now been revised on the above named notice to 0.003 per year (0.0015 per half year) – a 300% increase,” he stated.
He argued that the residents of Eureka Park were providing their own water, sewerage disposal, refuse and road maintenance amount among others.
“We do road repairs, security, lighting, safe and healthy environment and we encourage community involvement and participation in the community and are thereby providing most, if not all, the services that would normally be provided by a City Council, all of which Lusaka City Council are not providing to us,” he stated.
He stated that the percentage used in the calculation of rates should remain at 0.0005 per half year.
“We therefore strongly object to the increase in the percentage used for the calculation of the rates within Eureka Park,” he stated.
Eliss stated that the roll and duty of the council was provide services to its community.
“These services in general can be summarised as planning: Municipalities plan, zone, and develop land, and manage public utilities like water, sewer, and energy services: Municipalities provide services like fire protection, emergency management, public transit, libraries, policing, and recreational services. And Infrastructure: municipalities maintain streets, sidewalks, and lighting,” read part of the letter. “On Economic development, municipalities should promote the social and economic development of the community and promote a safe and healthy environment. And also encourage community involvement in local government,”
