Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa says he will settle his water bill while urging the government and businesses to pay debts owed to local authorities.

Sankwasa's remarks come after The Namibian reported last week that, as of 30 November 2025, his water debt stood at N$174 000.

He was speaking at Ondangwa in the Oshana region during the official opening of an induction training for regional and local authority councillors, management cadre and chief executives.

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"Let me be very clear, my account will be paid so that every person must pay their accounts," he says.

"Whether they write 100 articles about Sankwasa, it will not stop me from calling on local authorities to ensure accounts are settled," he says.

Sankwasa says local authorities are creations of government but are required by law to raise revenue to supplement their finances, a responsibility outlined in the Local Authorities Act and the Regional Councils Act.

He warns that many local authorities are in financial distress and struggling to maintain basic services such as road repairs because of lack of funds.

He added that the outstanding accounts show many ministries and government departments owe money to local authorities, which should receive those funds.

"I'm saying every ministry, every government institution, big businesses must pay the water bills. It is not a choice," the minister says.