Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua says the regional council agrees to the writing off of historic water debts in certain cases.

Uerikua was speaking at a meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development, which is currently hosting a hearing on historic write-offs of water and electricity debts.

Uerikua says local authorities with access to natural water sources must strengthen themselves to provide water to their communities.

The writing off of debts, Uerikua says, must be case-specific, as there are people and companies that can afford to settle their water bills.

"We are in support of the writing off of debts; we are in support; the communities are really suffering; they are struggling, but in the writing off, let us also not create a daily dependency system where I can use it as I want, and the next thing the parliamentary committee will come and then they will tell us to write it off."

Uerikua says municipalities must be supported to upgrade their infrastructure and produce accurate readings.

The governor informed the committee of four fountains and other natural water sources that can provide free-flowing water to different towns in the region.

He also stated that it was not fair for NamWater to bill municipalities while private farmers were not billed.

The platform is meant to help the committee understand stakeholders' challenges concerning the provision of water and electricity.