Water disconnection instituted by the local authority at various government schools at Otjiwarongo on Tuesday, has started to affect teaching and learning at the town’s schools.
Acting education director in the Otjozondjupa Region, !Garibasen IUiseb in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, said water supply at the 11 schools and other education facilities at Otjiwarongo was disconnected Tuesday night due to the outstanding payment for July.
The education directorate owes over N.dollars 1.6 million to the municipality on rates and taxes, including water for consumption at the education facilities, which include 11 primary and secondary schools and the teachers’ resource centre.
“The situation has created serious inconveniences for us, and it is also affecting all teaching and learning at our schools,” said IUiseb.
The senior education official on Wednesday morning was seen at the Otjiwarongo Municipality building negotiating for the reconnection of water at the schools.
Some learners at different schools visited by Nampa were also seen carrying water containers to use at toilets.
Otjiwarongo Mayor, Gottlieb Shivute confirmed the closure of water on Wednesday.
“We urge all government ministries to settle their monthly water utility payments, because the municipality also buys water in bulk from NamWater and if the municipality fails to do so, then everyone in this town will be affected,” said Shivute.
The mayor urged those in debt to negotiate with the municipality, saying the residents, government ministries and several businesses owe the municipality over N.dollars 54 million.
The municipality, he said, also closed water supply to the business complex of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) at the town.
NIDA senior property officer, Marvin Tjikongo in a telephonic interview with Nampa on Wednesday, said it is true the complex has no water.
He said his office will engage the municipality to install prepaid water meters for each of the 26 business units at the complex.
NIDA owes the municipality over N.dollars 324 000, said Tjikongo.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
