No major tariff hikes for Windhoek

THE City of Windhoek has decided to keep its increase in tariffs to a minimum during the next financial year, but residents can still expect to pay more for water.

Although Council agreed at a special meeting last night that it would rescind the water saving measures it instituted in 2002, it said residents would have to carry the cost of a recently decided increase in the price of bulk water from NamWater. An increase of 12,5 per cent on the basic charge and another 14 per cent on consumption will be payable as from July 1.With dams sufficiently full after the rainy season, the middle tariff block for residential customers will be increased from 36 to 45 kilo litres per household per month.The City has however not ruled out that residents could be expected to shoulder a hike in bulk electricity tariffs during the course of the year, should NamPower decide to increase its rates.Despite objections from several councillors especially those representing opposition parties, that the time allocated for scrutiny of the budget was too short, an amount of N$1,19 billion was eventually approved.An increase of 12,5 per cent on the basic charge and another 14 per cent on consumption will be payable as from July 1.With dams sufficiently full after the rainy season, the middle tariff block for residential customers will be increased from 36 to 45 kilo litres per household per month.The City has however not ruled out that residents could be expected to shoulder a hike in bulk electricity tariffs during the course of the year, should NamPower decide to increase its rates.Despite objections from several councillors especially those representing opposition parties, that the time allocated for scrutiny of the budget was too short, an amount of N$1,19 billion was eventually approved.