Many know about the debt problems of African countries, thanks to Bono, Bob Geldof and the like. Clean drinking water can also be in short supply. But how about this story saying western utilities may find themselves chasing African bad debts incurred much closer to home. It seems that keeping up with water payments is a problem for various West African diplomatic missions situated in East Manhattan. I pity the poor collections manager who has to chase these outstanding utility bills. Threatening to cut off their supply could lead to a diplomatic incident! If they owe this much for their water bills, I wonder how much they owe other suppliers?
Bono is in the habit of giving sermons about debt to the UN in New York. Next time Bono is in town, perhaps the diplomats can get him to answer the collection manager’s calls….
