Cost of basic services increases at Oshakati

WATER and sewerage tariffs at Oshakati are to be increased this month.

The town’s Public Relations Officer Loth Nehemia said in a press statement that NamWater’s decision to increase its bulk supply rate by 12 per cent had forced their hand. The water charges will be N$5,71 from 0 to 6 kilo litres of water compared to the current rate of N$5,10; from 6 to 15 kilo litres will be N$6,72, up from N$6; from 15 to 40 kilo litres:N$8,96 compared to N$8 at present; above 40 kilo litres the cost will be N$71,50 – at present it is N$65.There are also new deposit rates for basic services.These are N$300 for a household, up from N$230, and N$885 for businesses, compared to the present N$805.The basic charge for people renting Government property goes up to N$750 from N$230.Sewerage charges per toilet for residential areas remains at N$40, as do those for private houses, N$20, businesses N$25, and hotels and hostels N$15.The cost for removing sewerage water remains the same:N$180 for one septic tanker; in peri-urban areas a Km/h rate of N$7,50 will also apply now.Nehemia also announced that a fine of N$2 000 would be slapped on people found guilty of making illegal connections, while a fine of N$1 000 would apply in cases of hazardous waste, and N$180 for sewage line blockages.”All consumers are urged to positively contribute to the socio-economic development of our urban environment and to take up their social responsibilities to clear up their monthly bills in time so as to avoid interest charges of 1,25 per cent which might be accumulated as a result of late payment,” Nehemia warned.The water charges will be N$5,71 from 0 to 6 kilo litres of water compared to the current rate of N$5,10; from 6 to 15 kilo litres will be N$6,72, up from N$6; from 15 to 40 kilo litres:N$8,96 compared to N$8 at present; above 40 kilo litres the cost will be N$71,50 – at present it is N$65.There are also new deposit rates for basic services.These are N$300 for a household, up from N$230, and N$885 for businesses, compared to the present N$805.The basic charge for people renting Government property goes up to N$750 from N$230.Sewerage charges per toilet for residential areas remains at N$40, as do those for private houses, N$20, businesses N$25, and hotels and hostels N$15.The cost for removing sewerage water remains the same:N$180 for one septic tanker; in peri-urban areas a Km/h rate of N$7,50 will also apply now.Nehemia also announced that a fine of N$2 000 would be slapped on people found guilty of making illegal connections, while a fine of N$1 000 would apply in cases of hazardous waste, and N$180 for sewage line blockages.”All consumers are urged to positively contribute to the socio-economic development of our urban environment and to take up their social responsibilities to clear up their monthly bills in time so as to avoid interest charges of 1,25 per cent which might be accumulated as a result of late payment,” Nehemia warned.