Southern villages still in dark

RESIDENTS of several villages in the South remained without electricity for a second day yesterday after NamPower refused to budge on its decision to reconnect them until they have settled their debts.

NamPower’s Chief Technical Advisor, Reiner Jagau, said Gibeon, Kalkrand and Maltahoehe would stay without power until they paid up. He refused to say how much the villages owe the power utility.”We have a confidential agreement with our customers.It is unfortunate that other clients are affected but they have to solve it with them,” Jagau said when The Namibian reminded him that the decision affected hundreds of people – some of whom had paid their electricity accounts.Kalkrand further distributes electricity to Hoachanas, Schlip, Duineveld, Leonardville and Omamas.Although sources said Witvlei was next in line for a power cut, Jagau would not be drawn into commenting on anything apart from stating that the situation remained the same.So far, no major problems related to the safety of patients at the Gibeon and Kalkrand clinics have been reported.However, business owners with fridges are preparing to claim compensation for damages from the village councils.”It was quite funny last night.We had to use candles.Maybe we must keep a few in the house.You never know when this thing will happen again,” said Lucinda Mensah, who runs her father’s shop and bar at Kalkrand.The Ministry of Local Government has yet to respond to the electricity problems in the South.However, senior officials said yesterday they were tired of putting up with village councils’ alleged irresponsible use of State money.They claim that the councils use the money for the wrong purposes and are also not interested in collecting money for services rendered.”We can’t be running around all the time when they actually sit back and relax,” said one official in the Ministry.Residents and business owners at the towns and villages were up in arms.At Kalkrand they had planned a protest march yesterday, but held off as village officials vowed to pay NamPower.”They left (to pay) and returned but we have yet to see electricity coming through,” said one source.He refused to say how much the villages owe the power utility.”We have a confidential agreement with our customers.It is unfortunate that other clients are affected but they have to solve it with them,” Jagau said when The Namibian reminded him that the decision affected hundreds of people – some of whom had paid their electricity accounts.Kalkrand further distributes electricity to Hoachanas, Schlip, Duineveld, Leonardville and Omamas.Although sources said Witvlei was next in line for a power cut, Jagau would not be drawn into commenting on anything apart from stating that the situation remained the same.So far, no major problems related to the safety of patients at the Gibeon and Kalkrand clinics have been reported.However, business owners with fridges are preparing to claim compensation for damages from the village councils.”It was quite funny last night.We had to use candles.Maybe we must keep a few in the house.You never know when this thing will happen again,” said Lucinda Mensah, who runs her father’s shop and bar at Kalkrand.The Ministry of Local Government has yet to respond to the electricity problems in the South.However, senior officials said yesterday they were tired of putting up with village councils’ alleged irresponsible use of State money.They claim that the councils use the money for the wrong purposes and are also not interested in collecting money for services rendered.”We can’t be running around all the time when they actually sit back and relax,” said one official in the Ministry.Residents and business owners at the towns and villages were up in arms.At Kalkrand they had planned a protest march yesterday, but held off as village officials vowed to pay NamPower.”They left (to pay) and returned but we have yet to see electricity coming through,” said one source.