Karibib’s water problems solved, for now

RESIDENTS of the debt-ridden town of Karibib should not live in fear of more water cuts, but power cuts remain a threat.

In terms of an agreement signed by the Town Council and NamWater last week, the water utility will help the Municipality to manage water distribution, water billing and revenue collection. This came as a welcome relief for residents who were on the verge of resorting to violence at the end of May when NamWater cut the water supply to the town for five days.The Municipality had run up debts of N$500 000, in addition to a previous debt of N$1,6 million.The Town Council managed to avert a cut set for today by raising N$95 000 to pay NamPower.This will only ensure power supply for the next two weeks.The new deadline is the middle of the month, when another payment of N$80 000 has to be made.The Namibian was told that the Council managed to raise most of the money from a big business at the town which had paid its bills.While residents know water should no longer be a problem, some are worried that NamWater would increase the rates under the agreement Johannes Shigwedha, PR & Corporate Communications Manager of NamWater, said in terms of the agreement residents would in future receive a separate bill for water.Money paid on water bills will therefore be deposited into a new account specifically created for water.”This is to ensure the Town Council will not run dry again,” said Shigwedha in a media release.The Municipality would still disconnect residents who default on their water accounts, as well as other rates and taxes.In addition, NamWater offered to replace faulty water meters at houses to ensure residents are billed correctly.A NamWater technical team visited the town last week for the implementation of the agreement.An earlier pre-pay agreement, which NamWater and the Municipality of Karibib entered into in September last year, was not honoured by the town.The pre-paid amounts did not cover the usage, and the account started running into arrears again.”The purpose of the new agreement is to build capacity in the municipality,” said Shigwedha.He said NamWater was ready to assist any other Council in the same manner.He further reminded residents that water was a scarce resource in the country and very expensive to supply.This came as a welcome relief for residents who were on the verge of resorting to violence at the end of May when NamWater cut the water supply to the town for five days.The Municipality had run up debts of N$500 000, in addition to a previous debt of N$1,6 million.The Town Council managed to avert a cut set for today by raising N$95 000 to pay NamPower.This will only ensure power supply for the next two weeks.The new deadline is the middle of the month, when another payment of N$80 000 has to be made.The Namibian was told that the Council managed to raise most of the money from a big business at the town which had paid its bills.While residents know water should no longer be a problem, some are worried that NamWater would increase the rates under the agreement Johannes Shigwedha, PR & Corporate Communications Manager of NamWater, said in terms of the agreement residents would in future receive a separate bill for water.Money paid on water bills will therefore be deposited into a new account specifically created for water.”This is to ensure the Town Council will not run dry again,” said Shigwedha in a media release.The Municipality would still disconnect residents who default on their water accounts, as well as other rates and taxes.In addition, NamWater offered to replace faulty water meters at houses to ensure residents are billed correctly.A NamWater technical team visited the town last week for the implementation of the agreement.An earlier pre-pay agreement, which NamWater and the Municipality of Karibib entered into in September last year, was not honoured by the town.The pre-paid amounts did not cover the usage, and the account started running into arrears again.”The purpose of the new agreement is to build capacity in the municipality,” said Shigwedha.He said NamWater was ready to assist any other Council in the same manner.He further reminded residents that water was a scarce resource in the country and very expensive to supply.