Mchinji District Council has admitted facing difficulties in collecting local revenue, citing uncollected plot development fees as a significant factor behind its underperformance in the 2024/25 financial year.
District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, revealed this during the 2025/26 budget review meeting held in Blantyre on Tuesday.
Chidalengwa noted that the council’s revenue shortfall had necessitated a downward local revenue collection revision of K200 million, from the initially estimated K700 million.
“We are working to improve revenue collection for the council by implementing strategies such as revising market fees, adjusting ground rentals and reviewing water rentals,” she said.
She also acknowledged that relying on plot sales as a primary revenue source is unsustainable, particularly in the current economic climate.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Esmie Kainja, emphasised the importance of aligning budgets with national development goals like the Malawi 2063.
Mchinji’s budget is estimated at K38 billion.
By Vincent Khonje, MANA
