Water, power costs go UP

THE water, electricity and sewage tariffs for Windhoek went up with effect from Friday.The Chairman of the Windhoek City Council’s Management Committee, Bjorn von Finckenstein, announced at the monthly Council meeting on Thursday night that the basic water charge has been increased by 12 per cent, and the tariff for water usage by 10 per cent.

The sewerage tariff rises by five per cent. The unit charge for electricity surges by 12 per cent, while people who have pre-paid meters will pay six per cent more.Von Finckenstein said the increases had been necessitated by higher bulk fees charged by NamPower and NamWater, which raised their tariffs by 12 and 15 per cent respectively.In his address to the meeting, Windhoek Mayor Mathew Shikongo appealed to Government to allocate funds for core municipal services such as the City Police, the maintenance of infrastructure, street lights and roads.Shikongo said Windhoek was the only city in the world that did not receive a subsidy from central Government.He said the resources needed to provide services were “meagre”, and that the city could not continue increasing the burden on ratepayers.The Mayor noted that the recovery of debts owed to the city by individuals, Government Ministries and other institutions remained a critical issue.Unveiling the Council’s budget at the meeting, Von Finckenstein said N$46 million had been allocated to road infrastructure.He said the City was committed to maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure to enhance the quality of life of all residents.At total of N$27,6 million has been allocated to water infrastructure while N$22,9 million has been set aside for electricity infrastructure.Sewerage infrastructure has been given N$21,4 million while N$22,3 million was budgeted for economic development and recreation.Office accommodation was allocated N$7,4 million, water management N$7,6 million while N$52,4 million was allocated to other projects.In addition, N$40 million will be spend on eight township developments in the city.The total amount of the capital budget stands at N$365 million, while the operational budget is N$160 million.The salaries of the Municipality’s 1 460 employees account for 29 per cent of the operational budget.Nine per cent of the budget is for repairs and maintenance, 48 per cent for general expenses and 14 per cent for capital charges.The unit charge for electricity surges by 12 per cent, while people who have pre-paid meters will pay six per cent more.Von Finckenstein said the increases had been necessitated by higher bulk fees charged by NamPower and NamWater, which raised their tariffs by 12 and 15 per cent respectively.In his address to the meeting, Windhoek Mayor Mathew Shikongo appealed to Government to allocate funds for core municipal services such as the City Police, the maintenance of infrastructure, street lights and roads. Shikongo said Windhoek was the only city in the world that did not receive a subsidy from central Government.He said the resources needed to provide services were “meagre”, and that the city could not continue increasing the burden on ratepayers.The Mayor noted that the recovery of debts owed to the city by individuals, Government Ministries and other institutions remained a critical issue.Unveiling the Council’s budget at the meeting, Von Finckenstein said N$46 million had been allocated to road infrastructure.He said the City was committed to maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure to enhance the quality of life of all residents.At total of N$27,6 million has been allocated to water infrastructure while N$22,9 million has been set aside for electricity infrastructure.Sewerage infrastructure has been given N$21,4 million while N$22,3 million was budgeted for economic development and recreation.Office accommodation was allocated N$7,4 million, water management N$7,6 million while N$52,4 million was allocated to other projects.In addition, N$40 million will be spend on eight township developments in the city.The total amount of the capital budget stands at N$365 million, while the operational budget is N$160 million.The salaries of the Municipality’s 1 460 employees account for 29 per cent of the operational budget.Nine per cent of the budget is for repairs and maintenance, 48 per cent for general expenses and 14 per cent for capital charges.