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of the African Virtual University-Indiana University of Pennsylvania Partnership.

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Namibia town pays $1 million  to restore electricity

The mayor of Karibib said  town officials had paid about $1 million to restore electricity after it was cut off.

Mayor Lourens Hoeses said. water and electricity had been cut off due to non payment.

The electricity at the debt-ridden town of Karibib was switched back on yesterday after the Council managed to make urgent payment of about one million Dollar.

Namibia's power utility company, Nampower, cut off the town’s power early this week, due to non payment of the account by the council and other outstanding debts Karibib owes to Nampower. The debts are currently standing at $4 million.

Mayor Hoeses, said, “Close to $1 million were paid yesterday and power was restored.”

She explained many residents in town do not pay their water and electricity bills hence the council cannot also make any payment to either Namwater or Nampower because there is no money to do that.

Hoeses added that the council had an urgent meeting yesterday and decided to instal a pre-paid water and electricity systems.

"This means that we will only supply water and electricity to those who have paid in advance," she said.

The Mayor said the decision to install such a system was taken after realising that even people who keep their water and electricity accounts updated  also suffer when there is a power or water cut.

"This is unfair for them. We want to make sure that those who do not pay should be the ones to suffer. This will also encourage them to pay. Some people have money but they simply do not want to pay," the Mayor said.

She called on all the residents to pay their outstanding accounts to ensure proper development of the town.