Martin Endjala
The Aranos Town Council has begun rolling out a prepaid water meter project to improve water service management, despite facing budget constraints.
The council plans to install 1 000 prepaid electricity meters and 2 000 prepaid water meters by the end of 2025.
The council’s chief executive officer, Gerson Tjitaura told the Windhoek Observer on Friday that the installation is intended for all residents of the town and is not targeting any specific section of the community.
“The need for water and electricity connections is growing daily. This makes planning cumbersome even though we do it with budgetary provisions. Council envisages connecting and installing 1 000 prepaid electricity meters and 2 000 prepaid water meters,” he said.
Although the process is moving slowly, the council has so far purchased and installed 780 prepaid water meters.
The project has faced challenges, including a lack of funds and frequent vandalism of meters over the years.
In a notice seen by the publication last week, the council has invited local companies to bid for the supply and delivery of 1164 prepaid water meters and 663 prepaid electricity meters.
The bidding opened on 15 January and will close on 17 February.
The bid is an open tendering method of procurement, meaning it is open to all Namibian companies that meet the requirements set in the bid documentation.
Tjitaura described the meter installations as part of a broader national rollout, stemming from a cabinet decision last financial year to assist local authorities in reducing debts owed to Nampower and Namwater.
“A request was made by the council last year regarding funding for its developmental budget to the central government for funding since the scope of the need was just too much for its budget to carry,” he said.
Aranos received close to N$9 million for the project.
However, despite its phased implementation plan, the council has yet to achieve its set targets.
Addressing the issue of vandalism, Tjitaura stated that meters will be installed at residences for minimal fees, with homeowners responsible for the safety of the devices.
He acknowledged that vandalism extends beyond prepaid meters to other council assets and equipment.
“We are busy with the community meetings, which are to sensitise the community members to the implications of their conduct and to report those that are advocates for such ill-behaviour,” he said.
