Zorena Jantze
NAMPOWER has announced the dis-continuance of the supply of electricity to several ministries and village councils after they defaulted on paying their water bills.
In a statement, Tangeni Kambangula, Corporate Communication & Marketing manager at Nampower, stated that Nampower has cut the supply to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, as well as the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
The Beserba and Witvlei village councils, as well as the Congo Namibia Trading (Pty) Ltd, known as Kombat, have also been left in the dark due to nonpayment.
Kambangula stated that Nampower announced its Debt Collection Plan to its customers and the public on 8 March 2021.
He explained that the plan involves the suspension of electricity to defaulting customers, and was prompted by long overdue accounts by some NamPower customers.
The outstanding amount stands close to N$800 million Namibia.
As part of the plan, NamPower announced that it will suspend power supply on 12 April 2021 to customers who have not settled their accounts by 31 March 2021.
“After the announcement, some customers responded positively and came up with commitments to bring their accounts up to date or settle their arrears. NamPower would like to extend its gratitude to these customers for understanding the severity of the situation and responding positively to the call. Unfortunately, by the due date, some customers have not been forth coming and thus, their electricity supply has been suspended as of 11:00 this morning,” Kambangula said.
Electricity supply to the customers listed will be suspended for four hours today, from 11:00 to 15:00.
If no arrangement is made by these customers with NamPower by the end of this week, the customer will move to Stage 2, which involves the suspension of electricity supply for eight hours over the period of two days.
The suspension of electricity supply to customers who are in arrears will continue until acceptable arrangements are put in place or accounts are settled in full.
