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High wage bill chokes Karonga Council

Karonga District Council says it is struggling to pay its direct staff due to dwindling revenue collection.

Acting district commissioner David Gondwe said this on Tuesday during a meeting with Karonga Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Network to find solutions to improve public service delivery.

He said: “Our monthly wage bill is about K15 million against a monthly revenue collection of between K9 and K10 million.

“So, we plan to form a revenue supervisory team to periodically visit zonal markets to collect revenue.”

Silungwe: Council should be transparent

Gondwe also said they fail to collect garbage at Karonga Main Market due to high maintenance costs of the hired tractor.

In his remarks, Foundation for Community Support Services project officer Robert Silungwe blamed the council for allegedly concealing information.

“Lack of transparency on how they handle contracts is a recipe for rumours,” he said.

Karonga CSO Network chairperson Jabess Nyirenda commended Evangelical Association (EAM) of Malawi for facilitating the dialogue with the council.

On his part, EAM advocacy officer Matchona Phiri said the meeting enabled members to express their concerns to the council officials.

With funding from Germany’s Bread for the World, EAM is implementing Enhancing Church Engagement on Peace Building, Electoral Governance and Decentralisation in the district.

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