The Namibia Progressive Party (NAPPA) says it plans to introduce a temporary electricity levy meant to reduce costs for consumers.

Co-founder Penda Negonga made the announcement during a press conference in Windhoek, ahead of the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections.  

Negonga said the levy would amount to N$50 for households and N$100 for businesses, churches and non-profit organisations. 

He estimates the fund could raise more than N$300 million, which could be used to buy electricity from NamPower and invest in shares.

"One of the problems the Namibian Progressive Party is going to solve is to make electricity affordable. The electricity is increased every year around June and July, and it is hitting hard in the pockets of Namibians. With the N$1,000, you can only buy, especially in Windhoek, 396 units. The Namib Progressive Party is planning to introduce a temporary local authority electricity levy."

NAPPA also proposes electrifying informal settlements, introducing dry-pit toilets, a tram transport system and affordable business plots. 

"We also appreciate the fact that the government has introduced job training for the graduates. However, the allowance they get of N$2,300 per month is below the minimum salary rate of N$18 per hour, which translates to N$2,800. We observed that this allowance is creating conflicts among the families, members and some landlords. It creates the impression that a person is working because he or she goes to work every day. Therefore, we are aiming for the government to increase this allowance to N$5,000 per month."

The party also raised concern over delayed invoice payments to service providers, saying payments often take up to 120 days. 

"The standard practice is for invoices to be paid within 30 days, but in our current situation, it takes almost on average, 120 days for the service provider to receive their payments. One of the possible solutions is to establish a tribunal in every region where a complainant will lodge with ease a complaint of payment delay."

The party, which was officially registered by the Electoral Commission of Namibia this year, is contesting in the |Khomas and Kavango West regions.