Water PNG owed K5.8mil in outstanding bills

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
MADANG consumers owe Water PNG Ltd K5.8 million in outstanding bills, it has been revealed.
Manager customer success and legal recovery officer Herman Kagl told The National yesterday that out of the 3285 customers, 623 had been disconnected. They owed K1,325,315 .43 in outstanding bills.
Kagl said from the 623 disconnected customers, 441 owed more than K150.
“Surprisingly, 68 defaulted customers who are disconnected are under business and company names and are yet to settle their debts,” he said.
“A few companies, especially hotels and lodges, used private bores and Water PNG Ltd as a regulator will check if their private bores are licensed.
“Otherwise, they will face the full force of the law and their private bores will be shut down and they will be asked to pay huge penalties and debts.”
Kagl said the names of those businesses would be made known to the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and registered under Credit Bureau.
“The disconnected company/business houses owe Water PNG Ltd K380,262,” he said.
“Of the 623 disconnected customers, 373 domestic defaulters have an alarming total debt of K936,883, and they will also face the court of law.
“All defaulters will be issued 14 days demand letters this week and failure to pay up or settle the debts will be summoned before the court of law.”
Kagl said 1855 connected customers with a debt of K3.04 million would be issued notices as well.
He said Water PNG Ltd was asking all customers in Madang, Lae, Wewak, Mt Hagen, Kokopo/Rabaul and other centres to visit their nearest Water PNG Ltd office and pay up to avoid being sued or registered under the Credit Bureau for blacklisting.