NGWENYA TOWN RATES REVENUE ALMOST DOUBLE

 MBABANE – One of the country’s smallest but fast developing towns, Ngwenya, has recorded a notable increase in rates revenue.

Rates revenue for Ngwenya Town Board for the year ended March 31, 2020, was recorded at E11 101 417. In the past year, the figures were at E5 939 706. 

The treasurer, Petros Nxumalo’s report covering the period under review showed a total of E11 781 650 revenue received during the year ended March 31 this year. 

“It should be noted that in the past, total revenue used to include the government capital improvement grant and the World Bank /SLGP Fund. These funds have both stopped being to local authorities because Government of Eswatini has no more such resources and the World Bank funding came to an end as it was a four-year project. “There was no capital improvement received under the SLGP fund and none was received from the government capital improvement fund,” reported the treasurer.

Rates

Government rates were 63 per cent and private rates were at 31 during the last financial year. 

“It is worth noting that government rates have reduced from last year’s 67 per cent to 63. Private rates increased from 21 to 31 per cent in the last financial year,” shared Nxumalo. According to the report, at least 14 per cent of total revenue was spent on roads in terms of setting aside a depreciation reserve for future repairs. Up to 48 per cent was used to operate the office administration including maintenance of the town. “At  least 38 per cent of the total revenue was spent on personnel emoluments. Some of these are provisions for terminal benefits and not necessarily cash paid out to employees,” said Nxumalo.

Meanwhile, during the financial year 2019/20, the Board successfully formulated its five-year Integrated Development Plan/Strategy.  This document will guide the Ngwenya Town’s development for the next five years, beginning from April 2020 to March 2025. The Ngwenya Urban Area in general has shown a great potential for development, with sales of more than 90 per cent of properties at Mabuya Township most of which have already been developed, with some being developed currently. During the financial year, the town supported and guided the Mchalageni Development Company towards achieving the establishment of the Sibonelo Township. This township has about 431 plots, 65 of which are commercial and the rest are residential. 

“We are also proud to announce that one of the commercial properties will host the much long awaited first-of-its-kind Shopping Complex to be found within the Ngwenya Urban Area. On the other hand, the Board is still making attempts to pursue the Government of Eswatini to approve the formalisation of the Nkhungu Township. The Board has made great strides towards acquiring land for the provision of a community cemetery,” shared the town.

At least 20 building applications, on the other hand, were processed during the financial year.

Challenges highlighted in the report included over reliance on government rates; slow development of the Ngwenya Industrial Township; formalization of Nkhungu Township; formalization of New Skom.

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