INSENSITIVE! Experts bash NWSC for hiking water prices

By Moses Oketayot

National Water Sewerage and Corporation (NWSC) announced an increase in water prices by 6% which took effect on 1st July. The increment according to an internal memo from the commercial director George Okol, was approved by the board of directors.

The rising prices of water come at a time the prices of commodities and fuel have hit a record high making life hard for most Ugandans.

The decision follows a June 24th meeting held by the corporation’s board of directors.

The new rates have now changed the billing system. The Public Stand Pipe tariff, designed strictly for individuals who sell water to the community or the public has remained unchanged at Ugx1,060 per unit and Ugx21 for a 20 litre Jerry can.

On the other hand domestic users will now pay Ugx75 for a 20 litre Jerry can from Ugx70 with a unit changing from Ugx3,516 to now Ugx3,735.

Institutions like hospitals, schools and government establishments which are provided for under the Institution tariff will now pay Ugx3,771 per unit from Ugx3,558 with a 20 litre Jerry can rising from Ugx70 to Ugx75.

For industries, the rate is now Ugx4,473 per unit from Ugx4,220 and a 20 litre jerry can from Ugx84 to Ugx90.

INSENSITIVE

However, experts this newspaper talked have accused NWSC of being unrealistic and insensitive to Ugandans who are currently struggling to put food on table.

They opine that even if the current state of the economy justifies the increment, water is a service not profit. “So with this increment, it means national water is looking at making profits instead of providing an essential service to the country,” they say.

To cushion the cost of production, they are advising the water man to implore the government to give a waiver on power used to pump water. “They can get 10 to 15% and pay less of that from monthly bills.”

Furthermore, according to experts, the corporation should push for scrapping of VAT from water consumed, and water treatment inputs should also get tax exemptions from URA.

Cutting off water wastage through leakages would also go a long way in reducing expenditure by the corporation which would bring prices down eventually.

“If all the above measures are enforced, there will be no need to increase the cost of water consumed by the customers. With the high fuel, food and other commodity prices, water should be the last commodity to be increased because it gives life to so many sectors of the economy,” they stressed.

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