Omaheke Council mum on power cut

THE Omaheke Chief Regional Officer, Balbina Pienaar, yesterday declined to comment on claims that the Regional Council was to blame for the power cut at Drimiopsis and Ben Hur settlements last week.

NamPower disconnected the two settlements because the Omaheke Regional Council owed NamPower money. Three schools were left without electricity and water.”To be frank with you, I am not in a position to comment,” Pienaar told The Namibian yesterday.She said the Regional Council was taking the matter seriously and discussed it at a meeting on Monday.Power was restored to Drimiopsis and Ben Hur on Monday this week after the Omaheke regional education office promised to pay NamPower N$160 000.Omaheke Education Director Natalia //Goagoses said the Education Ministry did not owe the Regional Council any money, as it paid its bills every month.Nevertheless, it agreed to pay NamPower to alleviate the crisis at the three schools.The Namibian was reliably informed that the Omaheke Regional Council owes NamPower about N$400 000.Three schools were left without electricity and water.”To be frank with you, I am not in a position to comment,” Pienaar told The Namibian yesterday. She said the Regional Council was taking the matter seriously and discussed it at a meeting on Monday.Power was restored to Drimiopsis and Ben Hur on Monday this week after the Omaheke regional education office promised to pay NamPower N$160 000.Omaheke Education Director Natalia //Goagoses said the Education Ministry did not owe the Regional Council any money, as it paid its bills every month.Nevertheless, it agreed to pay NamPower to alleviate the crisis at the three schools.The Namibian was reliably informed that the Omaheke Regional Council owes NamPower about N$400 000.