NWSC Kisoro Promises Amnesty for all Illegal connections till September 23rd 2021
By Alex Gahima
The Manager of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Kisoro Branch Peter Ariho has said all illegal water connections at Domestic, commercial and institutional level have been given a one month grace period to report themselves and be offered free assistance without fear of being penalized.
While speaking to Voice of Muhabura, Mr. Ariho explained that under a new campaign dubbed, House to House, NWSC Kisoro is seeking to improve its business performance in the area.
It is also seeking to ensure there is customer satisfaction in Kisoro district.
The House to House Campaign that was officially flagged off on August 23rd 2021 will run every month until all 4,500 client accounts have been visited and the all clients have been given an opportunity to share feedback with NWSC staff.
According to Mr. Ariho, teams from NWSC will be visiting homes and business premises to follow up on the existing client accounts documenting their issues and complaints with the sole purpose of improving service delivery.
The teams that will be working in 5 territories within NWSC coverage will also be investigating all accounts that are involved in illegal connections.
“We have decided to offer all our clients who have been using our water illegally an amnesty from the 23rd of August to the 23rd September 2021. The only condition we ask of our clients, is that they report themselves to the NSWC office in the area and ensure that, their is evidence of a report filed at the office to ensure the accounts are normalized at no cost to the client”, Ariho said.
He further noted that during the exercise, NWSC teams will also be offering after- sale services including servicing, washing and cleaning of meters. The teams also intend to solve leakages after meters that have been the reason for unrealistic high water bills.
Mr. Ariho noted that the corporation has working under huge losses due to challenges resulting from Clients who have continued to abuse the trust and the relationship. He noted that this behavior needs to change if, people wish to enjoy the services better.
We lose a lot of money in Non- Revenue Water (NRW). This is the water that is produced, supplied but is not billed. Some unscrupulous people install meter by- passes to get water illegally, others simply disconnect the meter and fetch water at night which is wrong”, Ariho lamented.
He noted that water supplied by NWSC is not cheap but is affordable to everyone.
“When you pay your bills on time, it allows NWSC to extend water to other communities that have not yet been served. It also allows the entity to pay its Utility bills including electricity, fuel chemicals to produce the water as well as effectively running the Public Service Points (PSPs) for poor communities and paying our workers”, Ariho explained
NWSC Kisoro has over 4,500 accounts. Of these, 4,150 are active while close to 430 are inactive (suppressed).
Ariho also called on clients whose accounts have been suppressed to raise a minimum of 55,000 Ugandan shillings in order to be reconnected. He explained that under this arrangement, NWSC along with the client will draft a friendly payment agreement with terms favorable for client to pay off the remaining balance.
“This is a sign of good will and NWSC Kisoro is prepared to make an agreement and payment plan for individuals, companies who desire to have flowing water in their taps, do it now”, Ariho emphasized
Penalty for those who will refuse to Adhere:
Owners of Accounts who fail to utilize this opportunity to report themselves within this one month grace period and are discovered by the teams in the field or are reported by a whistleblower will incur a base line penalty of 400,000 Ugandan shillings that is Subjected to 18% VAT.
In addition, NWSC teams will estimate water consumption for the last 24 months to cater for water used and was not billed.
NWSC Tariffs:
25shs – 20 L Jerry can at Public Stand Point (PSP)
87shs – 20 L Jerry can at Domestic
99shs – 20 L Jerry can at Commercial account
Road Map for House to House Campaign
Territory A – Nyarusiza, Muramba, Nyarubuye, Bunagana Town Council, Nyakinama
Territory B – Nyakabande (Matinza, Mbongira, Kiraro, Kisoro- Kabale road (left side of the road), Mutolere, Nyiragakoro (left side of the road)
Territory C – Nyakabande, Cyanika Town Council, Chihe, Gashegeshi, Kisoro Hill, Bikoro A
Territory K – Kisoro Municipality Zindiro, Gase, Kamonyi, Kibaaya
Territory T – Kisoro Main town Center, Rukirebuga, Kasemisego, Nyamirima, Nyaruyaga
For further inquiries, please make use of the 24 hour Toll Free lines: 0800-200977 0800-300977
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