Kanyanga wants an end to Rundu debt culture
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga has implored the residents of the cash-strapped riverside town to stop defaulting on their municipal accounts.
Kanyanga argued that the same people who demand better services are among those whose accounts are in arrears.
Kanyanga told Namibian Sun that out of the more than 13 000 households registered in Rundu only about 4 500 pay their bills while the rest enjoy municipal services free of charge.
He was responding to questions pertaining to the recent call by some stakeholders who are against the Rundu town council having roped in a debt collector, Redforce Debt Management, to recover money owed to the council.
Residents owe the council N$450 million.
Just last week, the Kavango East Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) called upon Swapo councillors on the Rundu town council to ensure that the Redforce contract is terminated immediately.
Kanyanga said the newly elected councillors are yet to receive training on the laws governing local authorities, therefore he could not elaborate on the issue right now.
He acknowledged that residents were unhappy with the decision.
Namibian Sun understands that Redforce managed to recover about N$8 million for the council last month.
Failing to pay back
Kanyanga explained that apart from households, businesses and government institutions are alsonot settling their accounts.
“It's a culture. As we speak now, the council has over N$400 million within the community which is not paid off,” Kanyanga said.
With this money, much could be done to deliver services to the community, he pointed out.
The local authority owes Namwater about N$100 million.
[email protected]
RUNDU
Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga has implored the residents of the cash-strapped riverside town to stop defaulting on their municipal accounts.
Kanyanga argued that the same people who demand better services are among those whose accounts are in arrears.
Kanyanga told Namibian Sun that out of the more than 13 000 households registered in Rundu only about 4 500 pay their bills while the rest enjoy municipal services free of charge.
He was responding to questions pertaining to the recent call by some stakeholders who are against the Rundu town council having roped in a debt collector, Redforce Debt Management, to recover money owed to the council.
Residents owe the council N$450 million.
Just last week, the Kavango East Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) called upon Swapo councillors on the Rundu town council to ensure that the Redforce contract is terminated immediately.
Kanyanga said the newly elected councillors are yet to receive training on the laws governing local authorities, therefore he could not elaborate on the issue right now.
He acknowledged that residents were unhappy with the decision.
Namibian Sun understands that Redforce managed to recover about N$8 million for the council last month.
Failing to pay back
Kanyanga explained that apart from households, businesses and government institutions are alsonot settling their accounts.
“It's a culture. As we speak now, the council has over N$400 million within the community which is not paid off,” Kanyanga said.
With this money, much could be done to deliver services to the community, he pointed out.
The local authority owes Namwater about N$100 million.
[email protected]
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