Schools in Omaheke region without electricity

CENORED has cut off electricity supply to six schools in Omaheke because the regional council owes the power distributor more than N$843 000.

Central North Electricity Distributor (Cenored) is the third licensed regional electricity distribution company after Nored and Erongo Red.

Cenored spokesperson Chali Matengu confirmed the disconnection, saying it happened in October last year already.

“For now, it is just six schools which are cut off, but it might worsen if the regional council does not pay,” he said.

The schools that have been disconnected, include the Drimiopsis Primary School, Gustav Kandjii School, Mphe Thuto Primary School and the Epukiro Junior Secondary School.

Cenored supplies electricity to 31 schools in the Omaheke region.

Matengu told that some accounts had outstanding amounts for between three months and six months.

“At the end of January 2018, the outstanding balance was N$730 123. Currently, the balance is at N$843 171,” he explained, adding that the education directorate in the Omaheke Regional Council was responsible for paying the accounts.

Cenored tried to communicate with the regional council before suspending electricity supply to the schools.

“Unfortunately, there is no other route to take as Cenored had exhausted all the options available,” Matengu stated.

“We are also mindful of the impact this has on the education of the children, hence we disconnect and reconnect at the most crucial time, and in some instances we only target the school premises housing teachers and some hostel facilities,” he said.

Matengu noted that other regional council facilities have also been cut off.

“We cut their constituency and settlement offices, and several points like community halls and sewerage points,” he said.

“We do the best we can by extending payment periods, while being mindful that we also need to pay our bills to NamPower. If we do not pay, NamPower will decide to suspend supplies to us, which will then negatively affect all the customers in the region,” he added.

Omaheke education director Pecka Semba yesterday confirmed that Cenored was owed money, but said the schools would not be disconnected.

“As far as I know, our utility bills (water and electricity) are up to date. Except for the Chief Sophia Primary School, all our schools have electricity,” he told