PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Municipality decided during a council meeting on 31 January to provide temporary relief to residents in distress who are in arrears with the municipality.

"All consumers whose prepaid electricity is blocked due to their accounts being in arrears will be unblocked with immediate effect," said municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu. 

"Consumers who are residing in areas where Eskom is the supplier of electricity, who have their water supply restricted will also be granted relief. All restricted water supply in these areas will be suspended."

The resolution was influenced by various factors, including the fact that the collection rate for the appointed service provider that does debt collection, has only been 1% for the past six months.

Namntu said council also resolved to review its policies to allow it to explore measures to assist low-income households. "This includes investigating the possibility of introducing a sliding scale to address affordability."

Council will assess the indigent subsidy application process with a view to make the process more customer-friendly and effective.

"A ward-based public participation process will be undertaken to engage consumers on the debt collection and indigent policies. It will also be aimed at encouraging consumers to pay their municipal accounts. It is important to impress on consumers that it is their responsibility to pay for services."

All consumers who are in arrears on their accounts should make suitable payment arrangements or apply for the indigent subsidy. This can be done at the Bitou Municipality's revenue section on the second floor of Melville's Corner.

"Consumers must understand that it is very important for them to pay for the services that the municipality provides to them. The municipality relies on earning revenue from the payment of services by consumers to deliver quality services sustainably."

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