Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Erginus Endjala, the Governor of Omusati, has urged Nampower to consider less drastic measures than cutting off electricity supply to customers that have defaulted on outstanding debt.
Endjala made this statement following last week’s announcement by Namibia Power Corporation Limited (NamPower) that it would suspend electricity to defaulting customers from June 5 unless the outstanding overdue amounts are settled.
“We have to look at all factors in this situation that could be affected by the load shedding. One thing we have to look at is that this electricity supplies also households, schools, clinics and so forth. If for instance they decide to load shed a certain location everybody and everything is bound to be affected in that specific area. They could probably look at a different strategy and come around the table and come up with a softer measure that would allow the institutions to pay off their debts,” said Endjala.
The national power utility released a statement informing the public that 20 villages and town councils owe the company more than N$1 billion in unpaid debts, in addition to NORED Electricity (Pty) Ltd, which supplies electricity to seven northern and north-eastern regions, and Cenored-Okahandja Electricity (Pty) Ltd, which supplies electricity to the Otjozondjupa and Kunene regions.
Endjala continued by saying that he disagrees with the power company’s strategy because it only serves to punish communities.
“It is the same thing when one goes to the bank and takes a loan, if their financial capabilities are not able to meet the bank’s conditions they sit and negotiate to their affordability. I don’t think it’s a very good strategy all because you are no longer punishing the institution but the direct users. I am suggesting they come up with a different strategy,” he added.
In a statement last week, Tangeni Kambangula, Spokesperson for NamPower, stated that the power company has been concerned about the situation for some time and has had several interventions with various stakeholders in this regard.
“If this state is left without our further action, it would detrimentally affect our duty to supply electricity to the entire country on a sustainable basis,” she said.
