Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has asked local authorities to submit the names of newly elected councillors with outstanding water and electricity bills countrywide.
Sankwasa made the request in a letter dated 22 December 2025, addressed to mayors as well as the respective chairpersons of local authorities.
In the letter seen by The Namibian on Monday, Sankwasa states that the request aims to improve governance of the local authorities.
He says the names must be submitted no later than 9 January.
“Your office is urgently directed to provide all councillors who have outstanding water or electricity accounts with your local authority. Furthermore, you must also indicate the names and actual outstanding amounts, including the period such bills have been outstanding,” he states.
Last December, the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) revealed that its unpaid water bill had reached N$2.8 billion as of 30 November 2025.
Town councils owe NamWater the biggest share of outstanding debt with N$926.9 million, or 32.8% of the total, while municipalities owe N$253.7 million and village councils N$169.8 million.
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