Rundu water restored
An intervention by government has resulted in NamWater restoring water services at Rundu.
Action will soon be taken against Rundu town council officials and residents who are responsible for illegal water connections that are rife at the riverside town, and which have contributed to a N$60 million NamWater debt.
Rundu was without water for a number of days because of these arrears, a situation that heavily affected the close to 90 000 residents, as well as schools and health facilities.
A government deal with NamWater has since alleviated the situation.
Illegal water connections are common in informal settlements at the town, where council officials and plumbers set up connections for free.
The Kavango East Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) leadership warned council officials responsible for these criminal acts to stop immediately.
“We are warning all those that are involved in illegal water connections, both the staff members of council and the residents, that very soon action will follow,” an SPYL statement said.
Rundu acting CEO Sikongo Haihambo confirmed that it is indeed true that staff members are involved in illegal water connections.
Haihambo said he was angered by the thought of staff being involved in this unethical practice and said he would urgently bring the culprits to book.
“I am two months in the office; I am having cases on my table which are disciplinary cases that have been investigated and we are going to see them through in due process, and if people are found guilty, they will be dealt with accordingly. This is a matter I will not take likely, as it makes me angry,” Haihambo said.
Haihambo said there are also rumours that plumbers in Rundu are connecting residents illegally, adding they will also be dealt with.
Govt intervention
Last week government intervened and N$2 million was paid to NamWater by the urban and rural development ministry.
An agreement was reached that NamWater would supply water to Rundu for over three months, without the council paying.
The agreement also entailed that council will be expected to ring-fence the water bill to ensure that the money paid is strictly used to pay NamWater and not for operational costs, as was currently the case.
Haihambo said they are grateful for the intervention.
He, however, pointed out that Rundu consumes about N$4 million worth of water a month and that the N$2 million is only enough for two weeks.
He said ring-fencing is a good idea, but it is not practical, adding that most of their income comes from water and not rates and taxes, like in other towns.
Haihambo said the council will look at all means possible to up its other revenue streams.
“Water should be paid for water and that is what we want. It is not possible now, but we are also not saying that it is impossible. We just need to up our other revenue streams and I believe we can do it.”
KENYA KAMBOWE
Rundu was without water for a number of days because of these arrears, a situation that heavily affected the close to 90 000 residents, as well as schools and health facilities.
A government deal with NamWater has since alleviated the situation.
Illegal water connections are common in informal settlements at the town, where council officials and plumbers set up connections for free.
The Kavango East Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) leadership warned council officials responsible for these criminal acts to stop immediately.
“We are warning all those that are involved in illegal water connections, both the staff members of council and the residents, that very soon action will follow,” an SPYL statement said.
Rundu acting CEO Sikongo Haihambo confirmed that it is indeed true that staff members are involved in illegal water connections.
Haihambo said he was angered by the thought of staff being involved in this unethical practice and said he would urgently bring the culprits to book.
“I am two months in the office; I am having cases on my table which are disciplinary cases that have been investigated and we are going to see them through in due process, and if people are found guilty, they will be dealt with accordingly. This is a matter I will not take likely, as it makes me angry,” Haihambo said.
Haihambo said there are also rumours that plumbers in Rundu are connecting residents illegally, adding they will also be dealt with.
Govt intervention
Last week government intervened and N$2 million was paid to NamWater by the urban and rural development ministry.
An agreement was reached that NamWater would supply water to Rundu for over three months, without the council paying.
The agreement also entailed that council will be expected to ring-fence the water bill to ensure that the money paid is strictly used to pay NamWater and not for operational costs, as was currently the case.
Haihambo said they are grateful for the intervention.
He, however, pointed out that Rundu consumes about N$4 million worth of water a month and that the N$2 million is only enough for two weeks.
He said ring-fencing is a good idea, but it is not practical, adding that most of their income comes from water and not rates and taxes, like in other towns.
Haihambo said the council will look at all means possible to up its other revenue streams.
“Water should be paid for water and that is what we want. It is not possible now, but we are also not saying that it is impossible. We just need to up our other revenue streams and I believe we can do it.”
KENYA KAMBOWE
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