Keetmanshoop: The Keetmanshoop Municipality on Tuesday signed a six-month energy management agreement with four local authorities and two regional councils to address electricity challenges and reduce financial losses.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the six-month agreement was signed with the Maltah¶he, Aranos, Gibeon, and Bethanie local authorities, as well as with the ||Kharas Regional Council and the Hardap Regional Council. In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, the acting strategic executive of the Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit (KEBU) in the municipality, Lee Mwemba, stated that the agreement allows KEBU to assist these entities in minimizing electricity losses that have been draining their finances and operations.

Mwemba explained that the business unit will be responsible for revenue collection from residents and will ensure that payments are made to NamPower. He noted, "In December we started in areas like Bethanie, Gibeon and Maltah¶he. We have seen the losses reduce, for example in Bethanie in the past they had up to 60 per cent electricity losses and this has decreased to 19 per cent. We want to reduce that to at least seven per cent."

The Keetmanshoop Municipality will receive a four per cent monthly management fee as part of the agreement. The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Gibeon Village Council, Pederius Tjihoreko, highlighted the village council's debt to NamPower, amounting to N.dollars 18 million. He pointed out issues such as illegal connections, electricity bypassing, and aging infrastructure as factors contributing to the situation in Gibeon.

Tjihoreko emphasized the need for external expertise, saying, "We needed people who have the capacity and expertise to help, hence we entered into this agreement. It should also be understood that we are not giving away our assets, but transitioning electricity management temporarily while waiting for the full operationalisation of the ||Au-Ob Electricity Distribution Company." He called on residents to support the initiative, noting its long-term benefits for efficient and sustainable electricity management in the village.