Stefanus Nashama
Concerns over the country’s outdated water and sewage infrastructure are gaining momentum as political parties express frustration over the lack of maintenance and modernisation.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) are among the latest parties calling for immediate action and proposing long-term solutions.
On Monday the All People’s Party (APP), the Body of Christ Party (BCP), the Congress of Democrats (CoD), and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC), voiced their concerns.
AR spokesperson George Kambala accused the Swapo-led government of failing to implement proper plans to fix and maintain water and sewage infrastructure.
“What is happening is that there is no maintenance plan. Some of this infrastructure was inherited from the German and apartheid regimes. AR, as an entry government, will ensure proper maintenance in place,” he said.
Kambala noted that corruption also hinders progress with tenders awarded to individuals who lack the expertise to complete the work.
“You may find people fighting for tenders in court, spending more money instead of utilising such money to fix water infrastructure,” explained Kambala.
The NEFF also spoke out on the issue.
The party is advocating for an overhaul of the country’s colonial infrastructure.
The party’s deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu said there is a need for new systems to serve the growing population
“It is time for our young generation to look at amicable ways to address this issue. You can’t rely on old infrastructure, no,” he said.
Iipumbu said the water and sewage issue is part of the NEFF’s manifesto.
“We need to upgrade the system to ensure the lives and livelihood of our people are improved,” he stressed.
He also cited tenders being awarded to comrades who cannot do the job properly.
“They do not intend to fix the infrastructure for the people. They just want to eat money. They could have come up with a new strategy to address the matter,” stressed Kalimbo.
He said the reason some water and sewage are being fixed many times is due to unfitness to do the job.
“You will find them today they are fixing here, tomorrow the same problem has come back again,” he said.
Jan van Wyk, the president of the United People’s Movement (UPM) said the national budget does not effectively address the financial resources of local authorities.
“The allocation of the budget given to some local authorities is not sufficient to address the issue of water and sewage infrastructure,” he said.
According to Van Wyk, there are no proper measures to monitor the system to ensure the budget goes to where it is intended.
“Some people are using the money for other things instead of addressing the issue. The national budget should address the issue,” he said.
He noted the issue has affected the whole country.
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa also underscored the urgent need to improve water and sanitation.
“The reality is a frightening situation where 40% of Namibian households have no toilet facilities. With certain areas worse off. For example, Kavango West has 78.2% of households that have no toilet facilities. Other places with worse stats such as Kunene 64.2% or Ohangwena 61.7% households with no toilets.
Simataa said the party desires to address water and sanitation issues as a serious matter
According to him, LPM plans to roll out water sanitation initiatives across the country and replace the canal system by adding a piped water system to ensure clean and safe drinking water for the people.
The party also plans to build a desalination plant in Kunene, ||Kharas Region as well as develop the Ohangwena and Eiseb water aquifers.
“We will also roll out major programs on water provision,” said Simataa.
