South owes N$693.3m to NamPower

Local authorities and regional councils in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions owe NamPower a combined N$693.3 million by mid-September, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa said.Mariental municipality accounts for the largest share, owing N$295.9 million, followed by Karasburg at N$74 million and Aranos at N$71 million.Speaking at the official opening of the Southern Regional Electricity Distributor (Sored) consultative meeting in Keetmanshoop last week, Sankwasa warned that local authorities could not continue relying on central government to rescue them from financial difficulties while failing to collect revenue effectively or manage the money they receive.“If you are failing to collect where you are supposed to collect, the little you collect will be misused,” he said.The minister questioned how local authorities were spending money collected from residents who buy prepaid electricity.“What is that money being used for? Where is that money going?” he asked. “Whatever you collect in the name of the local authority is state money. It’s not private money.”Sankwasa said consumers pay for services upfront, requiring local authorities to account for the revenue they collect and explain why substantial debts continue to accumulate.Records show that Maltahöhe owes N$40 million, Gibeon N$28 million, Kalkrand N$13 million, Gochas N$8.6 million and Stampriet N$4.7 million.The Hardap Regional Council owes N$10.7 million.Karasburg owes NamPower N$74 million, Keetmanshoop N$32 million, Lüderitz N$26 million, Bethanie N$24 million, Tses N$16 million, Koes N$15 million, Berseba N$9.5 million and Aroab N$8.5 million.The ||Kharas Regional Council owes N$16.4 million.Empty promisesSankwasa criticised politicians who promise residents free electricity and other municipal services during election campaigns, saying such promises create unrealistic expectations about the cost of delivering essential services.“We are not going out and telling the people the truth, because we fear that if we tell them the truth, they will not vote for us,” he said.“During the campaign, people are being told, if you vote for us, you will not pay for electricity, you will not pay for services, you will get free services. There is no free service in this world.”He said NamPower could not be expected to continue supplying electricity indefinitely without payment.“For how long should NamPower continue giving electricity for free? Because they must maintain their needs. They must pay the salaries of the staff members,” he said.Sored must deliverSankwasa urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and agree on a practical roadmap for the full operationalisation of Sored.“We have been discussing these issues since 2003. We cannot continue talking until 2027 and then start the same discussions all over again,” he said.“The time for action is now.”He challenged Sored board members to understand their legal obligations and focus on delivering services rather than pursuing titles.“Let us not pursue titles; let us focus on service delivery,” he said.The minister said electricity is essential for education, household development and economic activity.“Electricity is not simply a commodity; it is an enabler of a better life,” he said.He added that the success or failure of Sored rested with the institutions responsible for its governance and operation.“The success or failure of Sored Energy lies in our hands. We have nobody else to blame but ourselves,” he said.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

South owes N$693.3m to NamPower

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-15

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South owes N$693.3m to NamPower

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-15

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