Africa-Press – Namibia. LANDLESS People’s Movement (LPM) parliamentarian Edson Isaacks, requested that the Windhoek and Keetmanshoop municipalities’ water debts of N$100 million and N$24 million respectively should be written off as these debts were accrued during Covid-19.
During his contribution on the national budget tabled for the 2022/23 financial year, Isaacks pointed out that the Ministry of Finance directed local authorities to provide free water during the Covid-19 pandemic to residents, but refused to reimburse the local authorities for monies owed to NamWater.
“Keetmanshoop Municipality owed N$24 million to NamWater for Covid-19 water, whilst City of Windhoek debts stands at a whopping N$100 million. Who is going to pay NamWater? Nothing in this budget indicates any measures taken to address this matter,” Isaacks asked the finance minister.
Further to this, the LPM member of parliament said that local authorities are tasked to provide housing, water, sanitation, electricity and other services, but are mounted with huge debts.
“Above is a classic example of how ministers use unconstitutional powers to bankrupt local authorities. This is why it is crucial that parliament should fast track the motion to write off historical debts of local authorities in all seriousness,” Isaacks said.
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