NamWater reporting progress against a tide of missed fortune

NAMWATER says it is making progress in collecting millions of dollars it is owed for bulk water supply since it decided last year to ration supplies to those who failed to settle their accounts.

The water utility’s latest figures show it is still owed almost N$80 million, a one-sixth drop since last July, when drastic measures were announced to recover the N$96 million owed at the time. But, while some customers continue to dispute their obligations and others renegotiate old debts through payment plans, whole communities are feeling the pinch of living with a restricted water supply.Non-payment by the Omaheke Regional Council of a N$1,1 million debt has left settlements in the Aminuis and Talismanus districts with only a 25 per cent water supply.At Epukiro Post 3, the water supply has been halved, while interim measures were arranged just this week to provide Otjinene with water.”The unfortunate thing is that, even though we are still collecting money, some taps are still running and no payment is being made. It’s a Catch-22 situation,” NamWater’s General Manager for Finance, Justus Tjituka, told The Namibian this week.By the end of last month, the utility said it was owed N$28 million in current debt, with debtors still paying off N$48 million in historical debts.The water company has entered into agreements with several local authorities – Karibib, Otavi, Usakos, Arandis, Rehoboth and Rundu – who have agreed to both pay their monthly water accounts and a certain percentage of arrears.Tjituka said that, although payment was sometimes erratic, the municipalities were doing their best to meet their obligations.But thorny issues remain to be resolved.A working group of officials from NamWater and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development are hammering out who should be made to pay the N$16 million owed by rural communities.The Ministry says it should be the responsibility of water-point committees to see that residents pay for their supply direct to NamWater.The Ministry of Local and Regional Government and Housing is also trying to iron out payment concerns with Regional Councils.Ministry Spokesperson Frans Nghitila said yesterday the Ministry was not responsible for paying bills to supply basic services to communities.All regional councils receive budgets from the Finance Ministry to settle their utility accounts and are expected to recover these costs from the customer.Upon investigation, the Ministry says it found that the Omaheke Regional Council lacks a proper billing system that would enable it to collect revenue from settlements.The Ministry says registered customers owe the Council more than N$5 million.At Katima Mulilo, a reduced water supply has almost become a way of life for residents.Six months ago, with the town council more than N$16 million in arrears, water supply to residents was halved.The Council’s debt has since grown by almost another N$4 million, as the Council has battled to emerge from financial crisis.Water supply to Otavi has also been reduced to just 30 per cent of full capacity.While Opuwo has also been identified as a defaulter – owing about N$3 million – its supply has not been cut.NamWater says the town’s infrastructure makes it impossible to ration water supplies without affecting the availability of other essential services.No agreement has been reached for payment by Opuwo Town Council because of a dispute about the water’s quality: residents claim it is too brackish.But, while some customers continue to dispute their obligations and others renegotiate old debts through payment plans, whole communities are feeling the pinch of living with a restricted water supply. Non-payment by the Omaheke Regional Council of a N$1,1 million debt has left settlements in the Aminuis and Talismanus districts with only a 25 per cent water supply. At Epukiro Post 3, the water supply has been halved, while interim measures were arranged just this week to provide Otjinene with water. “The unfortunate thing is that, even though we are still collecting money, some taps are still running and no payment is being made. It’s a Catch-22 situation,” NamWater’s General Manager for Finance, Justus Tjituka, told The Namibian this week. By the end of last month, the utility said it was owed N$28 million in current debt, with debtors still paying off N$48 million in historical debts. The water company has entered into agreements with several local authorities – Karibib, Otavi, Usakos, Arandis, Rehoboth and Rundu – who have agreed to both pay their monthly water accounts and a certain percentage of arrears. Tjituka said that, although payment was sometimes erratic, the municipalities were doing their best to meet their obligations. But thorny issues remain to be resolved. A working group of officials from NamWater and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development are hammering out who should be made to pay the N$16 million owed by rural communities. The Ministry says it should be the responsibility of water-point committees to see that residents pay for their supply direct to NamWater. The Ministry of Local and Regional Government and Housing is also trying to iron out payment concerns with Regional Councils. Ministry Spokesperson Frans Nghitila said yesterday the Ministry was not responsible for paying bills to supply basic services to communities. All regional councils receive budgets from the Finance Ministry to settle their utility accounts and are expected to recover these costs from the customer. Upon investigation, the Ministry says it found that the Omaheke Regional Council lacks a proper billing system that would enable it to collect revenue from settlements. The Ministry says registered customers owe the Council more than N$5 million. At Katima Mulilo, a reduced water supply has almost become a way of life for residents. Six months ago, with the town council more than N$16 million in arrears, water supply to residents was halved. The Council’s debt has since grown by almost another N$4 million, as the Council has battled to emerge from financial crisis. Water supply to Otavi has also been reduced to just 30 per cent of full capacity. While Opuwo has also been identified as a defaulter – owing about N$3 million – its supply has not been cut. NamWater says the town’s infrastructure makes it impossible to ration water supplies without affecting the availability of other essential services. No agreement has been reached for payment by Opuwo Town Council because of a dispute about the water’s quality: residents claim it is too brackish.