NamWater has secured N$40 million from the Technical Committee of Experts (TCE) account to fund Phase 2 of the upgrade to the Calueque Permanent Pump Station, which supplies water to central northern Namibia.
The project aims to improve the delivery of water from the Calueque Dam, located on the Namibian-Angolan border, to ensure a stable and sustainable supply that meets both current and future demand.
According to NamWater’s Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Lot Ndamanomhata, the second phase of the project will focus on commissioning high-capacity permanent pumps to replace ageing temporary units that have struggled to meet Namibia’s full water entitlement of 6 cubic metres per second, as stipulated in a 1969 bilateral agreement with Angola.
“The total cost of Phase 2 is USD 2,072,817.32 (approximately NAD 40 million), excluding the 10% Withholding Tax. This amount is being fully sourced from the TCE Account,” said Ndamanomhata.
He explained that the new pumps, with a combined capacity of 7.4 m³/s, are expected to improve reliability, reduce operational risks, and enable simultaneous water off-takes on the Angolan side of the system.
The infrastructure upgrades under Phase 2 will include the activation of 1MW pump groups, hydraulic enhancements, SCADA/PLC systems integration, electrical upgrades, and supporting works such as improved drainage and the construction of a new valve chamber linked to the Calueque Water Treatment Plant.
The implementation timeline is set at 10 months, with a performance-based payment structure in place. Oversight measures include a trilateral contract between NamWater, Angola’s GABHIC, and the contractor Mota-Engil Angola. The contract contains penalty clauses, provisions for independent audits, and a 12-month post-commissioning defects liability period to ensure project quality and accountability.
“Additionally, the project is expected to enhance support for regional economic growth and boost agricultural productivity. Importantly, it will further strengthen cross-border water cooperation between Namibia and Angola,” Ndamanomhata added.
This latest phase follows the completion of Phase 1 in 2017, which involved the repair of two pumping lines transporting water from the Calueque Dam into the canal system serving northern Namibia.
