Niël Terblanchë
Residents of the Ohangwena Region faced significant hardship this week after theft and vandalism at NamPower’s Onhuno Power Line caused a power outage, disrupting the water supply to the area.
According to a statement by Lot Ndamanomhata, the spokesperson of NamWater, the incident, which occurred at approximately 01:00 on Tuesday morning, is a demonstration of the severe consequences of copper theft from the installation of essential services.
He said that the Omakango Pump Station, which supplies water to the entire Ohangwena Region, was rendered inoperable due to the outage.
Ndamanomhata confirmed that the region was left without running water while NamPower worked to repair the damage.
“This unfortunate circumstance meant that the Ohangwena Region’s water supply was completely cut off. While our reservoirs were fully stocked, water pumping operations could not continue without electricity,” he said.
He added that technical staff from both NamWater and NamPower acted swiftly to address the disruption.
NamPower teams worked tirelessly to repair the damaged infrastructure, restoring power in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“NamWater resumed water pumping operations at the Omakango Pump Station immediately after power was restored. Normal water supply has now been reinstated across all directions in the Ohangwena Region,” he said.
He added that the incident has drawn attention to the damaging effects of theft and vandalism on essential infrastructure.
“Copper theft, often motivated by its high resale value, has become a growing concern in Namibia. This latest incident demonstrates the widespread impact of such crimes, affecting not only service providers but also entire communities reliant on uninterrupted power and water,” he said.
Ndamanomhata expressed its gratitude to residents for their patience during the crisis and urged the public to report any suspicious activities that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible.
“We urge members of the public to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators of this crime,” he said while encouraging anyone with information to contact the Namibian Police at 081 441 1861.
He also used the opportunity to reiterate the need for collective vigilance and cooperation to safeguard essential services.
“This incident highlights the damaging effects of theft and vandalism on essential services. We remain committed to ensuring a reliable water supply for all communities and thank the public for their continued support and vigilance,” he said.
According to Ndamanomhata, NamWater has reiterated its commitment to collaboration with NamPower and local stakeholders to ensure the continuity of essential services, regardless of the challenges posed by criminal activities.
