Electricity defaulters ignore NamPower

One month after the Cabinet ordered NamPower not to cut power to defaulting local authorities and the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored), none of the customers in debt have settled their accounts.

This was confirmed by NamPower spokesperson Tangeni Kambangula on Tuesday.

“Some, but not all, have entered into settlement arrangements,” Kambangula said.

Last month, NamPower attempted to implement its debt recovery plan, which included cutting power to defaulting local authorities and Nored between 17h00 and 20h30.

The defaulters owe NamPower over N$1 billion.

The power cuts have been put on hold until the end of August.

Kambangula said the power utility will always engage its customers on their overdue accounts and the company encourages defaulting customers to offer instalment arrangements they can honour to reduce their outstanding debts.

“NamPower also offers to waive interest charges on overdue accounts settled within a 12-month period. The payment terms of customers were increased from 14 days to 20 days from the date of invoice. These offers still stand,” she said.

Last week, The Namibian reported that NamPower board chairperson Daniel Motinga threatened to resign due to continued political interference in the running of the national electricity company.

Some speculated that this was due to his support of suspending electricity supply to regional electricity defaulters, which had irked some politicians and fellow directors who opposed the move.

The company at the time also defied the Cabinet directive not to cut power.

At the time of implementing the power cuts, NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu, in a statement, said the move was necessitated when the board of directors unanimously decided to exercise its fiduciary responsibilities towards the company and to protect the interest of the company and stakeholders.

“Moreover, the board of directors and management resolved to proceed with the disconnection plan because it is in the best interest of the financial sustainability of the company and for the sustainability of electricity supply in the country,” said Haulofu.