Omuthiya mulls refunds for overcharged residents
The Omuthiya Town Council is strongly considering refunding residents whose rates and taxes were exorbitantly increased last year. Acting CEO Simon Nghuulondo told New Era the proposal was included in a submission to the urban and rural development ministry in which the local authority sought advice on how to handle the issue.
“The line ministry pronounced itself on the matter on Tuesday, subsequent to a letter we wrote to them last year to seek advise on how we could rectify the mistake, the modalities to be used and how to implement,” said Nghuulondo.
“Therefore, as of Wednesday we have signed, responded and forwarded back to the ministry so that the resolutions can be gazetted then we can proceed to rectify accordingly.
“We have also included in the submission to the ministry to seek permission and to be guided whether it will be possible to refund affected residents who were unfairly overcharged.
“We are awaiting the ministry’s decision, but we are definitely considering reimbursing.” In October last year, fuming residents told New Era they were slapped with tariff hikes of between N$500 and N$800, translating into a near 100% adjustment. The adjustments by the local authority were roundly condemned by residents. Nghuulondo at the time said, once amended, the tariff will be reduced by 60%, saying such a mistake was as a result of ratifying of the new property valuation that came with exorbitant rates.
At the time he had also apportioned the blame to the finance department, saying they failed to alert council upon realisation there was a huge difference when they entered property valuations in the system.
The move was also against government directive in which last year it ordered local authorities not to increase their tariffs due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted many communities economically, thereby affecting their livelihoods. The same directive compelled all local authorities and regional councils to provide water to residents who were previously disconnected to help fight Covid-19, of which regular hand washing is encouraged.