Rehoboth rejects water meters
The Rehoboth town council has refused to accept delivery of a first consignment of water meters ordered after a special council meeting.
A consignment of 1000 water meters worth about N$2.5 million, which had allegedly been signed off by Willie 'Mistake' Swartz following a special council meeting, has been stranded at Rehoboth since Friday after the town council refused to accept it .
Swapo councillor Vincent Uirab confirmed that the council had resolved to procure the meters, although the purchase was not recommended by its management committee as stipulated by law, because it was an “urgent matter”.
“Yes, it must be recommended by the management committee but if an item is a special case then it can be done through a special council meeting,” said Uirab.
This consignment is part of 7 500 units ordered at a cost of N$18.7 million.
Namibian Sun understands that a payment plan has been arranged that would see the bill settled in instalments over 120 days.
In the meantime Swartz has disappeared and could not be reached at his office or on his mobile phone.
According to a council source, Swartz in his acting capacity steamrollered the resolution on 8 February 2017 while Rehoboth CEO Christof Uirab was out of town to attend a workshop in Swakopmund.
Meanwhile, United People's Movement councillor Emma Farmer says she is unaware of a resolution made regarding the water meters.
“There was talk about it. It was mentioned that water meters must be installed for the pensioners and for Block C and E residents. We still have no clarity on how it would have been financed, whether it would be a donation from NamWater or whether the council would pay for it,” she said.
Although Uirab declined to comment on who had authorised the procurement order, he said it was not a priority and the council simply had no money to pay for the meters.
“It is true that the truck is here but we have not made a decision on whether we will accept the shipment yet. We only heard about it yesterday. We have other pressing issues to deal with such as the NamWater water bill.”
This comes at a time when an intervention team from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has been stationed at the council to investigate a number of staff members.
According to Uirab consultations are being held with this team on what the ultimate decision will be regarding the water meters.
The water meters are being stored at a private business owner's storerooms.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Swapo councillor Vincent Uirab confirmed that the council had resolved to procure the meters, although the purchase was not recommended by its management committee as stipulated by law, because it was an “urgent matter”.
“Yes, it must be recommended by the management committee but if an item is a special case then it can be done through a special council meeting,” said Uirab.
This consignment is part of 7 500 units ordered at a cost of N$18.7 million.
Namibian Sun understands that a payment plan has been arranged that would see the bill settled in instalments over 120 days.
In the meantime Swartz has disappeared and could not be reached at his office or on his mobile phone.
According to a council source, Swartz in his acting capacity steamrollered the resolution on 8 February 2017 while Rehoboth CEO Christof Uirab was out of town to attend a workshop in Swakopmund.
Meanwhile, United People's Movement councillor Emma Farmer says she is unaware of a resolution made regarding the water meters.
“There was talk about it. It was mentioned that water meters must be installed for the pensioners and for Block C and E residents. We still have no clarity on how it would have been financed, whether it would be a donation from NamWater or whether the council would pay for it,” she said.
Although Uirab declined to comment on who had authorised the procurement order, he said it was not a priority and the council simply had no money to pay for the meters.
“It is true that the truck is here but we have not made a decision on whether we will accept the shipment yet. We only heard about it yesterday. We have other pressing issues to deal with such as the NamWater water bill.”
This comes at a time when an intervention team from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has been stationed at the council to investigate a number of staff members.
According to Uirab consultations are being held with this team on what the ultimate decision will be regarding the water meters.
The water meters are being stored at a private business owner's storerooms.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article