N$2.5 million development agency debt hampers Keetmans market reopening

The Keetmanshoop Municipality and the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) have been urged to settle their differences and reopen the Homs Ai Community Market – a key development project at the town.

The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts and economy, Peter Kazongominja, made this appeal during a stakeholder engagement meeting at Keetmanshoop last Wednesday.

He said the market was established to create jobs and alleviate poverty.

“When we visited the project in 2023, there was no water and electricity, but at least some activities were ongoing, but when we were there on Tuesday, it was completely shut down.

“Nida told us discussions with the municipality about the provision of prepaid water and electricity meters are underway. We need clarity from the municipality about the progress and a sustainable solution,” he said.

The market previously hosted a community radio station, food stalls, a restaurant and beauty salons, but has been closed for over a year due to unresolved disputes over outstanding water and electricity payments.

Nida owes the municipality N$2.5 million in unpaid debt for water and electricity.

Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit acting strategic executive Lee Mwemba said the municipality and Nida have to decide on the way forward, specifically on who would carry the cost of the accumulated debt.

“Since December 2023 we have called on entities to come to us and enter payment arrangements with us, but Nida has never showed interest in that regard, so we had to disconnect the electricity.

“If we give Nida electricity while it is not paying, someone else, the poorest of the poor, is subsidising that service to Nida. For the past four years Nida has not paid anything and it is unfair to the residents of Keetmanshoop,” Mwemba said.

Nida was advised to apply to have the interest on its principal debt written off during the municipality’s amnesty period, which ends in May.

Rehoboth Urban constituency councillor Harald Kambrude also urged Nida to fulfil its financial obligations.

“One way is for Nida to start paying their account. It is their responsibility to do that, it is not the municipality’s responsibility to subsidise them.

“Nida, you have an obligation to the council and your tenants. I am also begging the line ministry to step in and ensure that Nida is doing what it needs to do. It is your baby,” Kambrude said.

The meeting was attended by officials from the municipality, Nida and the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade. – Nampa