e-payment system saves water body millions annually
Dr Muhairwe, says that due to the seamless water bills payment system, the corporation has seen an increase in payments over the weekend.
National Water and Sewerage Corporation saves Shs500 million in insurance annually following the phasing out of the old system of receiving cash payments at branch offices and adopting the e-water payment system.
Dr William Muhairwe, the NWSC managing director, said the corporation used to spend Shs500 million annually on bullion vans and escorts to ensure safety of cash transfers from its branches around the country to banks.
“This money will now be re-invested into the system to better service provision and make it more suitable for the customers,” he said this week.
Simplified method
The e-water payment system is a simplified method in which a customer is able to access their water accounts online. Upon payment, a customer receives a receipt from the service provider and an SMS confirming payment.
“People can pay their bills from their homes and because of that, over 95 per cent of the bills we give out are now paid as opposed to about 85 per cent before we adopted the system,” he said.
A single NWSC cash office could collect between Shs300, 000 and Shs10 million per day from its customers but this brought with it a lot of inconveniences and expenses.
Dr Muhairwe was speaking at the signing of a partnership agreement between NWSC and Diamond Trust Bank to allow customers to pay their water bills under the e-water payment system.
Mr Varghese Thambi, the DTB chief executive officer, said the initiative is an opportunity for commercial banks to support financial literacy and promote a savings culture among Ugandans.
