Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, Aug. 3 — As regional energy distributors in Namibia continue to thrive, local authorities are grappling with their inability to provide essential services to residents due to resource constraints. Experts and opposition leaders are urging a shift in the approach, advocating for the direct provision of services to residents by local and regional authorities, bypassing intermediaries, and lowering tariffs paid by citizens. The services in question are none other than the basic needs of water and electricity, which some argue should never be commercialized.
In Namibia, regional electricity distributors were first established in 2000. NORED took the lead on March 13, 2002, and was followed by ErongoRED on August 1, 2005. Following an extensive study from 1998 to 2000, the Ministry of Mines and Energy approved this restructure of the energy supply sector (ESI). This change, though, has not been without difficulties.
Recently, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) announced tariff increases for various electricity distributors, with ErongoRED facing a staggering 9% increase, while the Central-Northern Regional Distributor (Cenored) and Nampower Distribution faced increases of 7.6% and 9.2%, respectively. The Omaheke Regional Council and the Cenored-Okahandja joint venture also experienced significant increases of 3.3% and 7.3%, respectively. These soaring electricity prices have put immense strain on consumers, exacerbating the difficulties of meeting the rising cost of living.
The involvement of middlemen in the provision of water and power services is one of the primary issues brought up by experts and opposition leaders. They contend that local governments should assume the duty of providing these fundamental services directly to citizens, doing away with the need for middlemen and perhaps lowering the cost of water and energy. They are adamant that basic requirements shouldn’t be made commercially viable.
In recent months, the situation has escalated to the point where the government had to intervene when Nampower cut off the electricity supply to some electricity distributors due to their mounting debts, which had reached millions. As a result, numerous households were left in the dark, despite not owing anything directly to the electricity distributors.
Similar issues have arisen with the water supply, and some have argued that Namwater shouldn’t be the only distributor for local governments. Instead, they contend that local government should assume this duty in order to perhaps reduce the cost of water by eliminating middlemen.
Local governments are forced to stop providing services to citizens who are in desperate need as a result of rising water and electricity debts. Many vulnerable households are thus left without access to these essential supplies.
Citizens are expressing their expectations that the future administration will seriously consider the prospect of eliminating middlemen in the provision of basic services like water and electricity as the country gets closer to the 2024 national elections. For the sake of the populace of the country, it is vital to guarantee affordable access to these necessary resources. – Namibia Daily News
