ONDANGWA — More than 1,000 account holders in Ondangwa have benefited from a debt relief programme initiated by the town council, which has forgiven N$26.5 million in accrued interest. The initiative, launched last October, aims to alleviate financial burdens exacerbated by economic challenges and the pandemic.

According to Namibia Press Agency, spokesperson for the Ondangwa Town Council, in an interview with Nampa on Friday, the debt relief programme is set to conclude next month. The effort is part of a broader strategy to address the mounting debts among residents, which currently stand at N$64 million. Shitalangaho-Mutikisha explained that the significant increase in outstanding debts is a result of the economic downturn and the severe impacts of Covid-19, which have strained local economies and reduced household incomes.

The spokesperson highlighted that the programme targets all domestic account holders, including those from the commercial, non-profit, and private sectors, except for government offices and agencies. This broad eligibility is intended to support a wide array of community members, from businesses to churches and community-based organizations, providing them some relief in these challenging times.