Nored customers in dark on power disconnection

The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) has been accused of keeping its customers in the dark on planned power disconnections due to outstanding debts to NamPower.

The power utility has warned it would cut power supply to defaulting customers, of which Nored is the biggest culprit.

Nored distributes power to the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions, as well as parts of Kunene.

Regional governors in the Nored electricity distribution areas, however, say they have not received any communication on the matter from Nored.

Omusati governor Erginus Endjala demands that Nored informs its customers and shareholders.

“It is not correct. We will try to find out what the status is on the payment. For what reason are we paying Nored if up to now I have not received an official communication from them?” he asked yesterday.

Zambezi region governor Lawrence Sampofu, Penda yaNdakolo of Oshikoto, and Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo all confirmed that they have not been informed by Nored on what to expect from 5 June.

Oshana governor Elia Irimari said he has writen to Nored when NamPower’s notice was issued.

“They have not replied. My aim was to inform the stakeholders in the region to be prepared when the power goes out with alternative power, especially those in the tourism sector and those who handle perishable food,” he said.

Kavango East regional chairperson Damian Maghambayi said he would call a meeting with all regional chairpersons in the Nored jurisdiction to demand answers from Nored.

Nored chief executive officer Phillemon Nakashole has not answered calls or responded to questions sent to him via WhatsApp.

HEADACHE
NamPower’s managing director, Simson Haulofu, yesterday said Nored is its biggest headache as the distributor accounts for 23% of its debt book.

NamPower’s debt from customers stands at N$1,5 billion, with an amount of N$842 million being overdue.

He expressed disappointment over Nored’s failure to honour its debt.

“We have Nored today, which is the first regional electricity distributor (RED) being cut. We have never had an RED in such serious debt as Nored,” he said.

“We are also looking at what the reasons could be, because we believe REDs are the solution,” he said.

Nored owes 23% of the N$1,5 billion owed to NamPower.

NamPower’s chief financial officer, Michael Gotore, said these debts have accumulated over the last five years.

Nored’s 2021 annual report shows its postpaid electricity revenue was N$559 million, new connection fees amounted to N$82 million, and prepaid electricity revenue was N$496 million.

Its overall revenue for that year amounted to N$1,1 billion.

The distributor also paid N$746 million for electricity. Its expenses amounted to N$1,2 billion.

‘WE ARE TIRED’
Haulofu said they understand the consequences of this electricity disconnection for the communities and the economy.
“Suspending supply to somebody is usually the last resort,” he said.

He said NamPower has made numerous attempts to engage local authorities and Nored.

“I don’t think we have failed in any effort to make sure what is owed to us is paid to us. We can’t generate electricity for free,” Haulofu said.

RED IN THE SOUTH
“We have also looked at the south where there are no REDs, and we are proclaiming that REDs must also be established in the south,” he said.

The establishment of a distributor in the south has been planned for a long time, but its implementation has been dogged by delays. The Electricity Control Board originally planned for a southern RED to become operational in 2018.

Currently, local authorities pay NamPower directly.