Local Economic Development / Own Source Revenue

The scenario above illustrates a number of factors that affects the discretion of LGs to levy, charge and collect own source revenue from their jurisdiction. Weak supportive legal framework due to obsolete and costly legislations such as the Liquor Act of 1927 and the Property rating Act 2005 have made it difficult for LGs to enforce. The absence of localized provisions of the national laws to provide LGs the discretion to levy, charge and collect fees and taxes has made it even more difficult. The LGs have not adequately engaged the private sector actors and community to influence their willingness to pay local fees and taxes and the yet the LG’s internal systems, procedures and process for levying, charging and collection of fees and charges have remained weak and susceptible to abuse and manipulation as evidenced by manual systems used, limited understanding of the existing legal framework by both technical and elected leaders.