Rundu residents owe council N$350 million

Rundu residents owe the Rundu Town Council N$350 million due to unpaid municipal debts that have accumulated over several years.

According to Rundu chief executive Olavi Nathanael, the debt owed to the council hampers the council’s provision of service delivery.

Nathanael says without revenue, the council is unable to implement any projects and maintain existing services or extend the services.

“We unfortunately need funds to fully implement our strategic plan and transform Rundu into a city of diverse opportunities and a centre of socio-economic excellence.”

Rundu residents have been complaining about inadequate service delivery from the council in terms of overflowing sewage, refuse collection and the provision of water.

Some areas, like Ndama Long to Long, have been without running water since last year, with water only becoming available at night, forcing residents to wake up in the middle of the night to collect water.

However, Nathanael said water at Ndama Long to Long has now been connected to the airport water pipe line.

“Long to Long is now directly connected to the airport water pipeline and now they get water throughout day and night, as of Monday, 14 November 2023, when we disconnected the new off-take from the Ndama water reticulation,” said Nathanael.

He further stressed that water demand at Rundu supersedes the supply capacity of NamWater, which contributes to a high number of people migrating into town and increasing housing developments, which include among others, shacks at Rundu.

Nathanael said the simulation of Rundu’s water network modelling, which was done by Lux-Development project in 2008, indicates that Rundu will not have sufficient water supply beyond 2020 if NamWater doesn’t upgrade its pumping stations at Nkarapamwe.

To remedy the situation, Nathanael said it’s high time that the council accelerates the drilling and installation of boreholes to increase water supply in upper areas, with boreholes having been drilled at the Kehemu water tower and Ndama.

“One borehole is operational at Kehemu tower, although it has a breakdown. The other three are in the process to install pumping equipment. We are about to appoint a contractor to install pumping equipment,” he said.

With the amount owed by residents’, Rundu now owes NamWater a staggering N$229 million.

“As we all know, the Rundu Town Council operates on a cost-recovery basis, which means that for council to render the residents of Rundu with good services and infrastructure that is in a good state, the residents of Rundu must religiously honour their obligations to pay council for services on a monthly basis,” Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga said recently in his re-election speech.

Kanyanga said the the council has observed an increase in its debt book amounting to N$350 million, compared to N$336 million recorded last year, which Kanyanga said is worrisome.

To encourage residents to pay off their debt, the council has introduced a debt relief programme to waiver 100% of accumulated interest for residents who arrange to settle their debt within six months and a waiver of 50% of accumulated interest for residents who arrange to settle their principal amount in 12 months.

“The whole intention of the programme is to reduce the debt burden of the residents, as well as encourage the residents to settle their dues, increase revenue collection for sustainable and uninterrupted municipal and developmental efficiencies and effectiveness,” said Nathanael.