NamPower draws the line

NamPower has given notice that it will cut the power supply to at least eight towns and villages, and a further 40 small settlements. NamPower announced in a newspaper advertisement that it would shut off the power supply to Koës, Gibeon, Tses, Kalkrand, Bethanie, Kombat, Mariental and Rehoboth. “NamPower has resolved to suspend power supply to a number of village, local and regional authorities with long-outstanding accounts. The decision was taken after continuous engagements with the affected parties to settle their outstanding accounts did not yield positive results. According to the notice, the power will be disconnected on Wednesday, 8 February, from 10:00. Mariental is in trouble because some government ministries have fallen behind with their payments. The council's CEO, Paul Nghiwilepo, laid the blame squarely at the door of defaulting ministries. “The problem we have is with government. Some of them pay their accounts very late and that affects our cash flow. There are some ministries that have requested for more time, however, with the situation we are in, we are not going to give an extension. This thing is because of ministries not paying their accounts,” Nghiwilepo told Namibian Sun. “I understand NamPower's position,” he added. But he seemed optimistic that the town's power supply would not be cut, saying: “[For us] it is not an issue.” Kalkrand's acting CEO, Ruben Shipanga, was also fairly positive that the village would not be left in the dark. “We are actually preparing payments to NamPower. We will pay an amount of N$300 000 while a total amount of N$600 000 is currently outstanding. “We have been telling our customers to pay their accounts because we need to pay the NamPower account from our revenues. We have asked NamPower for ample time because we also need to make payments to our other bulk supplier, NamWater,” he said. The Rehoboth Town Council was not very forthcoming, only stating that they planned a meeting to discuss ways of avoiding such situations. This is the second time in a few years that the Rehoboth council is in arrears for utilities, having owed NamWater millions in 2014. Gibeon Village Council CEO Desire Theunissen had a different excuse to the three other executives. She said: “We do owe a substantial amount, something like N$1.1 million, made up of arrears accumulated over a reasonable time. “We have challenges here in Gibeon like high unemployment and sometimes it is impossible to pay the entire outstanding amount in a month, so it can add up. We are now in negotiations with NamPower but we do have a cash-flow problem.” Theunissen added that the village council was looking for an amicable solution to its cash-flow problems. “We are also talking to the ministry [of urban and rural development] to address demand charges they have still not paid. Also we are looking at in-house measures. “We have started the valuation process which can lead to land sales, and educating the community to buy and receive their title deeds. Most only pay a meagre occupation fee from lease agreements. “We have been busy with this since last year and the people seem to welcome the initiative as we keep economics of scale and affordability of rates in mind. Still, I am concerned for the less advantaged here.” Human rights activist Phil Ya Nangoloh was not too pleased with NamPower's intent to cut the power supply, calling it a human rights violation. “Electricity is a basic right. That is a violation of the basic right to adequate housing, water, sanitation, electricity. “The state is there to promote the welfare of the people. It is a serious violation if access to electricity is cut. Whether it is the town council, village council or city council, ultimately and at the end of the day, it is the state's responsibility,” Ya Nangoloh said. Nampower did not respond to follow-up questions at the time of going to press.OGONE TLHAGE

NamPower draws the line

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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NamPower draws the line

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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