The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has set aside N$413 million for rural water infrastructure development and sanitation for the current fiscal year.
This comes as the government has pledged over N$10 billion to address water issues over the next five years.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Anna Shiweda said a total amount of N$413,280,000 is proposed for this sub-programme. Planned activities at output level include the construction of ground and surface water supply schemes for rural communities and schools.
She stated that construction and rehabilitation of traditional wells and stand-alone rural water pipe systems, such as the Ohangwena aquifer deep boreholes connecting many villages, are in the works.
According to Shiweda, the Ministry has secured a loan of N$1.9 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB), and it plans to contribute N$878 million over a five-year period to the implementation of the Water Sector Support Programme (WSSP).
She added that the funds will be used to implement water supply schemes of the Katima-Kongola pipeline in the Zambezi Region and Ruacana South in the Omusati Region, among other places.
“King Kauluma-Omutsegonime pipeline in the Oshikoto Region, Iitapa-Okeeholongo pipeline in the Omusati Region, Katima Mulilo-Ngoma pipeline in the Zambezi Region and Otjombinde in the Omaheke Region,” she said, adding that “the directorate responsible for water affairs in the Ministry recently concluded a demographic survey of the above-mentioned pipelines and is currently reviewing the preliminary designs.
Shiweda said the appointed engineering consultants are finalising the final designs and the bidding documents for the contractors.
Meanwhile, she said the Ondangwa-Omuntele Water Supply Pipeline Scheme in the Oshikoto Region was recently completed.
Shiweda noted that the Onamatanga water supply pipeline in the Omusati Region also needs to be finalised. The engineering consultant to develop preliminary designs for this project has already been appointed.
Other projects underway include the Ozondati-Omatjete Water Supply pipeline in collaboration with the Erongo Regional Council.
Similarly, the Ministry has also embarked on the Ohamaremba-Okangwati Water Supply pipeline in collaboration with the Kunene Regional Council.
This comes after Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Minister Calle Schlettwein stated earlier this year that the ministry’s goal is to have a countrywide adequate and uninterrupted water supply at least beyond 2037. In December last year, the Ministry and Namwater signed a N$10 billion-loan agreement from the German Development Bank to restore water supply in the country.
