NJOMBE Town Council has surpassed revenue collection target by over 11percent, collecting 4.2bn/- which is 61 percent of the target compared to the projected 50 percent for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

Erasto Mpete, Njombe Town Council Chairman, revealed this during the council’s regular meeting held recently.  

Presenting the council’s report on revenue collected during the first half of the 2024/25 financial year,   Mpete, said   from July to December 2024,  4.209bn/- was collected which was 61 percent of the target.

‘I take this opportunity to sincerely commend everyone, as this achievement is a sign of collaboration among the finance committee, all council members, and the public, which enabled us to reach this percentage,’ he said.

Mpete also highlighted the council's achievements in maintaining cleanliness and urged council members to take the lead in initiatives aimed at making the council a model in every aspect.

"In terms of cleanliness for   2024/25 financial year, our council won first place in the national environmental cleanliness competition among town councils. Despite this achievement, we still face challenges to keep our town clean. We must ensure cooperation with residents to ensure they pay the levies stipulated by law, as it is every citizen’s responsibility to maintain the environment," Mpete emphasised.

Nganyagwa Erneo, representative of Njombe District Commissioner, acknowledged the council's achievements but noted persistent land disputes, for which strategies, including education campaigns, have been implemented to resolve.

"There are still land disputes in Mjimwema, Iwungilo, Kifanya, Ihanga, Uwemba, and Lugenge wards. Some of the disputes have lasted over five years. We must ensure we resolve them," said Erneo. 

Njombe Urban Ward Councillor, Alatanga Nyagawa, expressed confidence that his ward had made   significant contribution to the council’s revenue, citing the growing number of businesses from various areas. 

"The secret behind this success is the involvement of leaders at all levels, including local government officials and experts.   We have made significant efforts in cleanliness campaigns such as ‘Ogesha Mji Wako' (clean your town), which had greatly inspired environmental cleanliness in all wards within Njombe Town Council," said Nyagawa.