Staff Reporter
RESIDENTS of Kombat will get very slight relief as NamPower did not, as intended, cut their power supply on Monday but extended the deadline to 11 March at 09:00.
The full document issued by NamPower Managing Director Mr Kahenge Simson Haulofu:
POSTPONEMENT OF DISCONNECTION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO KOMBAT VILLAGE (CONGO NAMIBIA TRADING (PTY) LTD)
“NamPower hereby informs residents of Kombat village and the Namibian nation at large, that it has resolved to postpone the disconnection of electricity supply to the village. NamPower planned to disconnect electricity supply to the village today, 28 February 2022. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the company has resolved to delay the suspension until 11 March 2022, at 09h00.
The suspension of electricity supply to the village of Kombat is as a result of the termination of the power supply agreement between NamPower and Congo Namibia Trading (Pty) Ltd, which comes to an end today (28 February 2022). The decision to terminate the contract is as a result of the debt that Congo Namibia Trading has accumulated since July 2018, which currently stands at over N$29 million. The account of Congo Namibia Trading has been growing unabated, with no accountability being taken by the respective entity.
The termination of the contract with Congo Namibia Trading will impact the village of Kombat, as Congo Namibia Trading has been supplying the village through the same supply point as the one used to supply the Mine. The Mine is currently under new ownership, with its own power supply point.
NamPower has implemented a Debt Collection Plan since March 2021, which resulted in consultations being held with defaulting customers to reach payment agreements. Since then, some of the customers in arrears have been responding positively, coming up with firm commitments to bring their accounts up to date, while some have settled their accounts. However, some customers have defaulted on the commitments they made whilst others, such as Congo Namibia Trading (Pty) Ltd have not been forthcoming, and their account continues to grow exponentially.
The public who will be affected by the disconnection is encouraged to contact their electricity service provider for further information (Congo Namibia Trading and Kombat Community Trust)
NamPower values all its customers and is committed to always render prompt and quality service.”
