Nida passes buck on N$2m municipal debt
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has laid the blame for its over N$2 million municipal debt at the feet of its tenants.
This after tenants at its Oshapaka Complex in Windhoek bemoaned the fact that water was shut off due to debt accumulated by the agency.
They added that they are not the only ones who have had their water shut off.
According to City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye, in October, the total amount owed for the reconnection of water services was N$1.5 million, while Nida’s gross debt currently stands north of N$2 million.
Per an email, Nida sent proof of payment for N$803 593.82 in December 2022, which was confirmed on 11 January.
"Thanks for the payments made, however, we expected N$1.2 million to be paid as per the agreement and we have only received N$803 593.82. Provide us with proof of payment of the short payment as a matter of urgency," the communique read.
Water had been shut off last year, tenants said, and has been off ever since.
Nida has been thrust into the spotlight over the years due to unpaid debts, with water and electricity at its facilities often suspended or shut off.
Currently, the agency will have to fork out N$1.2 million for the reconnection, Akwenye said.
Tenants to blame
Nida spokesperson Wessel Nanuseb blamed late rent from the agency’s tenants across the country for its poor debt servicing.
"...The agency has adopted an aggressive debt-collection strategy in order to address the accumulation of debts. Given the suspension of water/electricity by some service providers, the agency approached the ministry of industralisation and trade for resources to address this challenge," he said.
He could not confirm the amount the ministry would be committing to the agency when asked.
"[The] agency is in the process of disbursing these funds and has commenced payments to local authorities," he said.
Solution
Nanuseb further said tenants should be responsible and directly liable for payments to service providers.
"The long-term solution to avoid suspension of services to our facilities is to install metered services for the supply of water/electricity in order to ensure that tenants are directly liable for payment to service providers.
“In addition, the agency is appealing to tenants to meet their financial obligations to enable provisions of the services," he said.
This after tenants at its Oshapaka Complex in Windhoek bemoaned the fact that water was shut off due to debt accumulated by the agency.
They added that they are not the only ones who have had their water shut off.
According to City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye, in October, the total amount owed for the reconnection of water services was N$1.5 million, while Nida’s gross debt currently stands north of N$2 million.
Per an email, Nida sent proof of payment for N$803 593.82 in December 2022, which was confirmed on 11 January.
"Thanks for the payments made, however, we expected N$1.2 million to be paid as per the agreement and we have only received N$803 593.82. Provide us with proof of payment of the short payment as a matter of urgency," the communique read.
Water had been shut off last year, tenants said, and has been off ever since.
Nida has been thrust into the spotlight over the years due to unpaid debts, with water and electricity at its facilities often suspended or shut off.
Currently, the agency will have to fork out N$1.2 million for the reconnection, Akwenye said.
Tenants to blame
Nida spokesperson Wessel Nanuseb blamed late rent from the agency’s tenants across the country for its poor debt servicing.
"...The agency has adopted an aggressive debt-collection strategy in order to address the accumulation of debts. Given the suspension of water/electricity by some service providers, the agency approached the ministry of industralisation and trade for resources to address this challenge," he said.
He could not confirm the amount the ministry would be committing to the agency when asked.
"[The] agency is in the process of disbursing these funds and has commenced payments to local authorities," he said.
Solution
Nanuseb further said tenants should be responsible and directly liable for payments to service providers.
"The long-term solution to avoid suspension of services to our facilities is to install metered services for the supply of water/electricity in order to ensure that tenants are directly liable for payment to service providers.
“In addition, the agency is appealing to tenants to meet their financial obligations to enable provisions of the services," he said.
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