Luqman Cloete
30 June 2011
MARIENTAL residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets after the town council approved a water tariff hike of 16 per cent.
The increase was announced when the council approved its N$46,5 million budget.
The council made provision in its budget to increase its electricity tariff by an estimated 18,5 per cent.
The council generates the bulk of its income from electricity sales projected at N$32,2 million, representing 69,2 per cent of its total income.
Other price hikes include the assessment rates which went up by 3,54 per cent, sewerage with a three per cent increase and refuse removal, which also went up by three per cent.
Commenting on the hefty tariff hikes, Mariental municipality chief executive officer Paul Nghiwilepo said the water and electricity tariff increases were made in line with increases by the bulk suppliers – NamPower and NamWater.
A budget surplus of N$390 446 is projected, while N$ 46,2 million is budgeted for expenditure.
An estimated N$11,6 million, equivalent to 21,7 per cent of the operational budget, will be used to foot the council’s wage bill.
The budget also reveals that the council has approved salary increases of between three and 13 per cent for its staff.
The council has budgeted N$6,3 million for capital projects and the amount will be sourced from its own funds.
Out of the capital projects budget, N$4,3 million will be used to upgrade an electricity sub-station.
The mayor of Mariental, Alex Kamburute, said the budget would be used prudently and to the benefit of the town and its residents.
The approved budget comes into effect on Friday.
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