NamPower has given customers in arrears until the end of this month to settle their bills. The power utility is owed close to N$1 billion by its customers. Those who do not step up to the plate and pay their bills will have their lights turned off says the power utility in a full-page advert in a daily newspaper on Monday. Southern local authorities make up the bulk of the list of defaulters. Town councils risking disconnection are Rehoboth, Karasburg, Okahandja, Aranos and Gobabis. The village councils are Maltahöhe, Gibeon, Bethanie, Khoes, Tses, Leonardville, Kalkrand, Berseba, Stampriet, Aroab and Witvlei. The //Kharas Regional Council is the regional council facing possible electricity disconnection. NamPower says it has engaged defaulters and demanded letters for payment, but some of those in arrears did not respond. Two public enterprises, TransNamib and Agribusdev are also in the red with their electricity bills. The Ministries of Health, Home Affairs, Sport and Agriculture are also in the same boat. No municipality falling under regional electricity distributors (REDs) is envisaged to have their power cut off. The power utility will begin with the suspension of electricity for a minimum of four hours weekly by 31 March. NamPower will then tighten the screws and leave councils that did not make full payment by 12 April, in the dark. It says the dishonouring of bills has become a great concern and affects the sustainability of the utility's business and its operations.