Government owes N$36 m for services

WHILE local authorities battle to get their customers to settle their debts, it has emerged that Government is a major culprit – owing more than N$36 million at the end of December.

Municipal councils are the hardest hit: Government departments owe them at least N$23 million of the total debt. Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development John Pandeni revealed Government’s outstanding debts to local authorities in the National Assembly on Thursday at the request of the DTA’s Johan de Waal.The Education Ministry owes the municipalities the most -N$5,8 million – followed by Health and Social Services (N$4,3 m), Transport and Communication (N$3,6 m) and Safety and Security (N$2,6 m).It is the Ministry of Health and Social Services that owes councils the most money – N$3,1 m – while the Ministry of Education owes N$2,6 m and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication owes N$2,3 m.Town councils are battling to recover N$10,6 million in debt from Government departments while village councils are owed N$2,7 million.Village councils are owed N$1,2 million by the Ministry of Education and a further N$573 00 by the Health Ministry.The Ministry of Safety and Security owes N$452 615.Pandeni provided no reasons for Government failing to settle the debts.Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development John Pandeni revealed Government’s outstanding debts to local authorities in the National Assembly on Thursday at the request of the DTA’s Johan de Waal.The Education Ministry owes the municipalities the most -N$5,8 million – followed by Health and Social Services (N$4,3 m), Transport and Communication (N$3,6 m) and Safety and Security (N$2,6 m).It is the Ministry of Health and Social Services that owes councils the most money – N$3,1 m – while the Ministry of Education owes N$2,6 m and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication owes N$2,3 m.Town councils are battling to recover N$10,6 million in debt from Government departments while village councils are owed N$2,7 million.Village councils are owed N$1,2 million by the Ministry of Education and a further N$573 00 by the Health Ministry.The Ministry of Safety and Security owes N$452 615.Pandeni provided no reasons for Government failing to settle the debts.