The Walvis Bay municipality is one of a handful local authorities in Namibia with a clean bill at NamWater. That is despite the fact that municipal revenues dropping by 24 % as a result of the Covid-19 economic decline, and residents and businesses owing the local authority a staggering N$416 million in accounts in arrears.
The Mayor of Walvis Bay, Cllr Trevino Forbes, made a serious appeal to residents during Tues-day night’s monthly council meeting to make it a priority to settle their monthly accounts with the municipality.
Cllr Forbes said it is understandable that many people suffer financially due to job losses or reduced income, but that there are those who found a loophole in it not to honour their financial obligations to the municipality.
“I am aware there are households severely affected. We find there are chance takers. Those who are able to meet their financial obligations towards the municipality, but use the situation as a loophole not to pay their monthly accounts”, explained Cllr Forbes.
The municipality’s credit control section compiled a list of municipal accounts that are in arrears in excess of N$10 000. From that list a lot of cases were identified where the account holder is employed, but has not been paying his or her municipal account for months.
From that isolated list, services were cut if found the person has not been making an effort to pay or has not made payment arrangements.
The N$416 million is owed as follows: Narraville residents owe N$21 million, Kuisebmond N$76 million, Walvis Bay N$261 million, Dolphin Beach 32 million, Langstrand N$13,2 million and Meersig N$13,3 million.
Cllr Forbes explained the municipality of Walvis Bay receives regular backlash from the public over service delivery and issues like road maintenance. However, if the public does not pay their municipal accounts, where would the funds come from to carry out street maintenance or render other services?
“I think it is only fair for the public to also grant Council the same courtesy by ensuring they make payments or make the necessary arrangements to settle their accounts”, the mayor urged.