Abdikadir Chari
Marsabit motorists began payment for daily parking charges with small vehicles paying sh 50 while trucks and lorries paying sh 500.
The charges are contained in the Marsabit County Finance bill.
Motorists encourage to pay parking fees using phone,as part of the county government’s plan to digitize its operation and reduce time wastage.
Among the parking spaces targeted include, areas around Kenya lodge, near postal corporation and around jey jey centre.
Speaking at a press briefing, chief officer land and urban development Galm Guyo Rogicha said the plans are part of the effort by the county government to increase revenue.
” As a county we have to explore all the mechanisms to decongest the CBD as well as get revenue for the county,” he said
He said the policy was developed to relate county fees and charged to service delivery and provide a fair, transparent and lawful way of setting fees and charges.
” The policy was meant to create a standardised, predictable, and accountable system for pricing county services,” he said
Rogicha said, the aim of the county introducing parking fees among others is to improve service delivery, strengthen financial sustainability and support long-term development planning.
He said the marsabit municipality will soon start a comprehensive revenue mapping exercise as it seeks to identify and digitize revenue systems and seal loopholes in collection.
” Rising demand for public services, expanding infrastructure needs, and increasing expectations from citizens require county government to strengthen its own-source revenue,” he said
The urban development chief officer warn revenue collectors and the public against engaging in corruption, emphasizing that illicit dealings severely damage public trust and affects economy.
Marsabit Municipal Manager Boru Golicha said the parking fees are intended to promote order and sanity in parking within the CBD for the benefits of all residents and road users.
He said,though marsabit municipality not yet rolled out an electronic revenue collection systems, plans are underway to introduce platform in order to seal loopholes associated with corruption in the collection of funds.
He caution motorists against parking on roadside or roadways, noted that where no designated parking areas have been provided, the driver must park the vehicle two metres from the edge of the road.
Boru said parking at the edge of the road prevents pedestrians from using the pathway and affects the safe operation of the road.
He said the parking attendants have been deployed to every corner of the CBD to ensure that motorists follow the parking registration and if a vehicle has not complied , the attendants record the violations and issue a penalty fine.
He said the municipal move beyond passive administration and actively promote local economic development by attracting investment, facilitating business growth and support enterprise development.
He said they invested in structural municipal governance, integrated urban planning, strengthened institutional management and modern revenue administrative system.
” Delegation of revenue collection functions to municipality brought revenue administration closer to taxpayers, improve efficiency while simplifying compliance for residents and businesses,” he said
The municipal manager said they already started a clean-up exercise to clear clogged drainage systems and waterways.
” Drainage works are already underway, with teams working to open up and deepen drainage channels, clear obstructions, and improve water flow,” he said
He said,the informal settlements which lack proper sanitation facilities often dispose of waste directly to the drainage system, exacerbating blockages and contaminating waterways.
” Community engagements and public awareness campaign are essential. By educating residents about the importance of proper waste disposal and the importance of urbanisation on drainage system, we aim to foster a sense of ownership and encourage sustainable practices,” he said
Marsabit Board Chair Adan Wario says the municipal has stepped up efforts to unclog the blocked waterways and drainage system to avoid caught up flat-footed by heavy rains.
” The clean-up exercise has been going in our CBD. We are keen to prevent the devastation,” he said
He warned that stern action will be taken against individuals who dispose waste in the drainage systems, raising cases over rising vandalism and theft targeting drainage covers.
” Criminals act continue to disrupt our efforts. We warn that offenders will face the full force of law,” he said
He advised scrapmetals dealers against purchasing and handling stolen public assets, noted that the acts of vandalism not only compromise service delivery but also pose a grave danger to public safety.
He encouraged residents to help the government in safeguarding public investment and protect vital infrastructures.
Comments are closed