The company Águas da Região Metropolitana de Maputo, SA (AdRMM) estimates that around 25,000 customers connected to the drinking water distribution and supply network in the city and province of Maputo don't pay their bills and choose to make illegal connections, causing losses.

This information was made public on Monday, May 22, in Maputo province, during the launch of the Campaign to Cut and Remove Water Installations to Customers with Debts to AdRMM.

The campaign will take place in all neighborhoods in the cities of Maputo, Matola and Vila de Boane, in Maputo province, and will focus on customers with overdue bills.

On the occasion, AdRMM's commercial director, Cremildo Fernando, said that the company loses around 50 million meticais a month, having to bear the costs and taxes arising from the lack of regular payment of invoices.

"We have introduced a program that aims to encourage customers to pay their bills and honour their commitments on a regular basis, benefiting from a discount of 25 % of the total debt," said Cremildo Fernando.

The manager also indicated that the campaign will focus on customers who prevent AdRMM technicians from taking readings, inspections and those who use water illegally.

"Our aim is to dismantle these installations, cutting them off and removing all the branches that are in these situations.

We estimate that around 25,000 customers are currently not paying their current bills and we believe that one of the causes of this non-payment of bills is illicit water consumption," concluded Cremildo Fernando.