Steven Klukowski

The Keetmanshoop municipality is not in a position to write off the accumulated debt of senior citizens at the town, CEO Desmond Basson said this week. According to Basson, elders who owe the local authority can qualify for a discount on the basic charges for water and refuse removal, but the council cannot write off their outstanding debt since it has an obligation towards NamWater to settle payments. 

“We do however also sell electricity up to 50 units at a reduced social rate to consumers, making the plight of those not using a lot of units monthly lighter whilst those customers using more than 50 units monthly are charged at a higher rate,’’ Basson said during a community meeting with residents of Krӧnlein. 

Basson also explained account statements are not only made up of water and electricity provision charges, but other services such as refuse removal, sewerage and property tax. “You should, however, not regard the municipality as a profit-making business,” he said. 

He added council only adds N$2 per cubic metre of water on top of what NamWater is charging them for providing water and that such money is spend on maintaining and replacing sometimes outdated water infrastructure as the needs arise. 

Addressing the interlock paving issue in Krӧnlein, Basson explained council during the current financial year received an amount of N$2.4 million from the Road Fund Administration (RFA) for the maintenance and upgrading of roads in the town. 

“We have decided to lay interlocks in Krӧnlein this year whilst we will identify another suburb next year with the monies to be received during the next financial year from the RFA,’’ he added.  

Community activist Percy Charlies said they have ensured the appointment of 24 employees for low-skilled labour so far at the project whilst another 11 will be given an opportunity in due course as a means to address unemployment. Keetmanshoop mayor McDonald Hanse said the municipality was reaching out to residents in order to create platforms for dialogue. “This is your municipality whilst we are only your servants, so let us all try together to make our town a better place to live in,’’ he said. 

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na