Windhoek: Omuthiya Town Council has intensified its debt recovery efforts as outstanding municipal debt has reached N$65 million, placing pressure on the local authority's ability to deliver essential services. In an interview with Nampa on Saturday, the town council's public relations officer, Martha Andreas, said the total outstanding debt comprises N$31,152,391.01 in principal debt and N$33,864,696.34 in accumulated interest.According to Namibia Press Agency, Andreas stated that property rates and taxes account for the largest share of the debt, followed by water utility charges, while refuse removal, sewerage services, and administrative levies also contribute significantly. She noted that about 2,700 municipal accounts are currently overdue, affecting the council's revenue collection targets.Despite the high debt, Andreas said, "The council is pleased to inform residents that the total outstanding balance has decreased compared to the previous financial year, demonstrating that our revenue recovery s trategies and community engagements are beginning to yield positive results." She highlighted that several socio-economic challenges have contributed to residents falling behind on payments, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, prolonged drought affecting farming communities, and necessary tariff adjustments to sustain municipal services.To improve collections while assisting struggling residents, the council introduced an Amnesty Interest Relief Programme, which runs from February until the end of July 2026. Under the initiative, ratepayers who enter into payment agreements and commit to settling their principal debt by December 2026 will have all accumulated interest written off.The council has also strengthened public awareness campaigns through local radio stations and social media, while enforcing its credit control policy through service disconnections and the engagement of professional debt collectors for long-overdue accounts. Andreas warned that unpaid municipal ac counts limit the council's ability to maintain roads, expand water, sewerage, and electricity networks, support local economic development initiatives, and meet bulk service obligations.She urged residents and businesses to settle their accounts before the amnesty programme closes, saying timely payments are essential for the growth and future development of Omuthiya.