Small gains amid City’s bickering
The City of Windhoek council's perpetual political bickering continues to take centre stage, while the real task at hand of providing much-needed basic services to Windhoek residents is relegated to the periphery.
Last week’s controversial council meeting – despite the no-confidence motion that stole the show – did however result in key decisions being finalised, such as the approval of the sale of Erf 10812 in Katutura to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund for N$21 million to establish a trauma and rehabilitation centre.
Council also approved the leasing of land in Kleine Kuppe to the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital for a period of 20 years, at a monthly rental of N$23 766.
The rental amount will increase annually in line with inflation, but will not exceed 10%.
Plans by a Brakwater resident to operate an animal-supported rehabilitation and recreational centre for disabled and socially disadvantaged children on 25-hectares also received a nod of approval.
Light it up
Council also indicated that the municipality wants to take over electrical infrastructure assets in the extended boundaries of Windhoek.
Since 2011, the municipality has tried to acquire the assets, but NamPower required compensation.
Currently, all municipal services are provided by the municipality, except electricity distribution, which is still handled by NamPower.
"The municipality has attempted on several occasions since 2011 to take over the electrical infrastructure assets in Brakwater, Dobra, Nubuamis and Groot Aub.
"These attempts have so far been unsuccessful, because NamPower requires compensation for the alienation of the assets to the City of Windhoek," a statement declared.
Negotiations planned
The City said its strategic executive for electricity will approach NamPower and other private entities to negotiate the takeover of electrical infrastructure and assets, based on the outcome of an asset valuation.
With the municipality raking in about N$533 million annually from 54 009 prepaid electricity meters, a token identifier rollover project will commence soon.
"Older meters need replacement with standard transfer specification-compliant meters to manage the process to prevent meters from running out of range, preventing them from accepting new tokens," the City explained.
To overcome this, all prepayment meters will need to be reset to a new reference base date.
Last week’s controversial council meeting – despite the no-confidence motion that stole the show – did however result in key decisions being finalised, such as the approval of the sale of Erf 10812 in Katutura to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund for N$21 million to establish a trauma and rehabilitation centre.
Council also approved the leasing of land in Kleine Kuppe to the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital for a period of 20 years, at a monthly rental of N$23 766.
The rental amount will increase annually in line with inflation, but will not exceed 10%.
Plans by a Brakwater resident to operate an animal-supported rehabilitation and recreational centre for disabled and socially disadvantaged children on 25-hectares also received a nod of approval.
Light it up
Council also indicated that the municipality wants to take over electrical infrastructure assets in the extended boundaries of Windhoek.
Since 2011, the municipality has tried to acquire the assets, but NamPower required compensation.
Currently, all municipal services are provided by the municipality, except electricity distribution, which is still handled by NamPower.
"The municipality has attempted on several occasions since 2011 to take over the electrical infrastructure assets in Brakwater, Dobra, Nubuamis and Groot Aub.
"These attempts have so far been unsuccessful, because NamPower requires compensation for the alienation of the assets to the City of Windhoek," a statement declared.
Negotiations planned
The City said its strategic executive for electricity will approach NamPower and other private entities to negotiate the takeover of electrical infrastructure and assets, based on the outcome of an asset valuation.
With the municipality raking in about N$533 million annually from 54 009 prepaid electricity meters, a token identifier rollover project will commence soon.
"Older meters need replacement with standard transfer specification-compliant meters to manage the process to prevent meters from running out of range, preventing them from accepting new tokens," the City explained.
To overcome this, all prepayment meters will need to be reset to a new reference base date.
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