Mazabuka Mayor, Vincent Lilanda, says the recent unanimously reached agreement with stakeholders in the sugar sub-sector to increase cane levy from 30 Ngwee to K2 per tonne, is reflective of current economic conditions.
Announcing the decision during the recently held 19th Ordinary Full Council Meeting, Mazabuka Town Clerk, Judith Maambo, disclosed that the increment was arrived at after prolonged consultations with stakeholders.
The council had been in consultations with stakeholders beginning with an initial proposal of K100 eventually working down to K10 and finally settling for K2 per tonne.
Meanwhile, Lilanda says the adjustment, the first of such since 1986 will enable the Local Authority improve service delivery as they will be able to increase their revenue base.
Reacting to the development, Lubombo Ward Councilor, Eugune Natala, says the increase of the cane levy was inevitable considering how low it was despite sugar prices increasing over time.
He has thanked stakeholders and the Council for collectively agreeing to the upward adjustment, remarking that it is in the good interest of all parties directly and indirectly affected.
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