Africa-Press – Namibia. YOU can’t go to a supermarket and buy on credit. The same will apply to municipal accounts from now on,” Usakos mayor Wilfried Weise says.
“YOU can’t go to a supermarket and buy on credit. The same will apply to municipal accounts from now on,” Usakos mayor Wilfried Weise says.
He says the debts of government institutions and residents with the municipality are skyrocketing.
Debtors owe the town council close to N$20 million, he says.
The municipality has come up with a resolution that all outstanding municipal debts above N$10 000 must be paid by the end of August, or municipal services will be cut off.
“The funds can be used for essential projects, like road construction, town planning, surveying and the servicing of erven.
“The money can also be used for the repair and maintenance of water infrastructure older than 70 years,” Weise says.
He says there has been too much focus on party politics, and that, coupled with ignorance, have seen municipal debts increasing.
“Those days are over, and every debtor will have to pay now. No matter who you are, pay your bills and be in good standing with Usakos and its community.
“This situation is running into big problems involving that smaller debtors refuse to pay their debts, while those with high debts get off scot-free,” he says.
Weise says many of the town’s debts date as far back as 2015.
“It is time to follow the rule of law, the Local Authorities Act, and all other directives with regard to debt collection.
“The time to ignore our laws and directives as prescribed by higher authorities is over now, and if a debtor does not agree to these drastic steps, then he of she is most welcome to challenge the town council in the High Court,” he says.
Weise says business people and small and medium enterprises owe thousands of dollars, which is unacceptable.
“Do not blame Covid-19 for your debts. Many debtors did not even mind paying rates and taxes for so many years on their properties, and that is long overdue now,” he says.
Weise says the town council will close down all businesses not following registration procedures as per the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, especially businesses along the town’s main streets.
“The mayor or the chief executive officer cannot approve any business development on their own, and we will strictly follow the principles as prescribed by the Local Authorities Act,” he says.
The mayor says although the country is following a free-market system, the law prescribes rules and regulations.
“No fitness certificate will be given to unregistered shops, and we will strive to make Usakos crime free by not allowing any illegal activity by any resident,” Weise says.
He says the debts of government institutions and residents with the municipality are skyrocketing.
Debtors owe the town council close to N$20 million, he says.
The municipality has come up with a resolution that all outstanding municipal debts above N$10 000 must be paid by the end of August, or municipal services will be cut off.
“The funds can be used for essential projects, like road construction, town planning, surveying and the servicing of erven.
“The money can also be used for the repair and maintenance of water infrastructure older than 70 years,” Weise says.
He says there has been too much focus on party politics, and that, coupled with ignorance, have seen municipal debts increasing.
“Those days are over, and every debtor will have to pay now. No matter who you are, pay your bills and be in good standing with Usakos and its community.
“This situation is running into big problems involving that smaller debtors refuse to pay their debts, while those with high debts get off scot-free,” he says.
Weise says many of the town’s debts date as far back as 2015.
“It is time to follow the rule of law, the Local Authorities Act, and all other directives with regard to debt collection.
“The time to ignore our laws and directives as prescribed by higher authorities is over now, and if a debtor does not agree to these drastic steps, then he of she is most welcome to challenge the town council in the High Court,” he says.
Weise says business people and small and medium enterprises owe thousands of dollars, which is unacceptable.
“Do not blame Covid-19 for your debts. Many debtors did not even mind paying rates and taxes for so many years on their properties, and that is long overdue now,” he says.
Weise says the town council will close down all businesses not following registration procedures as per the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, especially businesses along the town’s main streets.
“The mayor or the chief executive officer cannot approve any business development on their own, and we will strictly follow the principles as prescribed by the Local Authorities Act,” he says.
The mayor says although the country is following a free-market system, the law prescribes rules and regulations.
“No fitness certificate will be given to unregistered shops, and we will strive to make Usakos crime free by not allowing any illegal activity by any resident,” Weise says.
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