WSSP launches move to recover arrears

PESHAWAR: In a joint effort with the district administration, the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) has initiated a campaign to recover outstanding arrears from defaulters.

The drive follows directives from the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar and is being executed in two phases.During the initial phase, the focus is on issuing warnings and notices to defaulters, urging them to settle their arrears voluntarily. Subsequently, a crackdown is planned for the second phase, which may include disconnection of water taps, fines, and other measures as per the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act.

A strategy was formulated during a meeting chaired by the additional deputy commissioner. Notices are being dispatched to defaulting consumers by WSSP’s zonal managers and directors of the east and west capital metropolitan government. Simultaneously, awareness campaigns are being conducted, with mosque imams using loudspeakers to disseminate information to their congregations.

Efforts are also underway to involve local elected representatives in encouraging community members to fulfill their financial obligations. Currently, WSSP faces financial constraints, impacting its sanitation and water supply operations.

Out of total of 89,000 registered users, only 21,000 consistently pay their bills. The remaining 68,000 are categorized as defaulters or intermittent payers, with 24,000 having never settled a bill, while 44,000 make sporadic payments or opt for installment plans.

The current outstanding arrears owed to WSSP by registered consumers amount to approximately Rs1.48 billion. Of this, non-paying users owe Rs700 million, while partial or irregular payers owe Rs780 million.