Government Commits to Recover Over K1 Billion in Unremitted Non-Tax Revenue
Minister of Finance and National Planning says the Treasury is determined to recover the over K1 billion non-tax revenue in levies, fees, penalties and fines, that remained unremitted by mid-year, as revealed by the Office of the Accountant General.
According to a report submitted to Secretary to the Treasury, Felix Nkulukusa, by the Accountant General, the outstanding non-tax revenue which should have been paid to Government Ministries and Agencies by various stakeholders stood at K1, 078, 158, 586.39 billion by June, 2024.
The outstanding remittances relate to Government services offered in the energy, tourism, labour, water development and sanitation, transport and Logistics, and home affairs and internal security, sectors.
Dr. Musokotwane said the failure to remit non-tax revenue by some organizations and individuals is inconsistent with Government’s macroeconomic objective for 2024 aimed at increasing domestic revenue to at least 22 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Undoubtedly, to achieve this target, the assigned Ministries and Agencies have the full backing of the Treasury in pursuing all relevant channels to ensure that the targeted non-tax revenues for various goods and services which they render on behalf of the Government is remitted by end of October, 2024.”
“To accelerate the remittance of outstanding revenue by respective stakeholders, the Government will publish details of all organizations and individuals who are owing. We anticipate positive results from the exercise. The outstanding revenue is part of the 2024 resource mobilization framework and has to be collected, without fail,” Dr. Musokotwane emphasized.
And speaking when he presented the report to Dr. Musokowane, Secretary to the Treasury, Felix Nkulukusa, said this state of affairs has impacted on the resources available for the Government to finance public service delivery.
Mr. Nkulukusa also briefed the Minister on budget performance in September, 2024.
“Energy Sector Stakeholders: K617, 886, 591.83 is outstanding for energy regulation board license fees; Tourism Sector Stakeholders: K8, 044, 225.91 for casino, hotel managers registration fees and outstanding balances on the tourism development credit facility; Water Development & Sanitation Sector Stakeholders: K5, 684, 969.10 is outstanding for WARMA fees.”
“Labour Sector Stakeholders: K382, 798.00 is outstanding for registration, factory, and education and occupational safety fees; Transport & logistics Sector Stakeholders: K3, 560, 001.55 for equipment, maintenance and printed supplies; and, Lands & Natural Resources Sector Stakeholders: K442, 200, 00 is outstanding for ground rent and consideration fees,” he said.
He emphasized that the funds are needed to sustain the drought emergency response which was developed by Government, following the declaration made early this year by President Hakainde Hichilema that Zambia is facing a national disaster – following a severe drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
