Sostenus Wilherm
Five health facilities in Kavango West have received newly constructed sanitation facilities under a N$3.3 billion national water and sanitation programme, in a move the government says will improve conditions for patients, health workers and surrounding communities.
The facilities, handed over by the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR) on Wednesday, are located at Kapako Clinic, Mburu-Uru Clinic, Nzinze Clinic, Sharukwe Clinic and Mupini Health Centre.
The projects were implemented through the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (NWSSP), which is supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Namibian Government.
The NWSSP carries a total value of N$3.3 billion, comprising a N$1.9 billion AfDB loan, a N$50.4 million grant from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative Trust Fund and N$1.3 billion in Government counterpart funding.
The programme targets improved access to water and sanitation, sustainable water security and stronger institutional capacity within Namibia’s water sector.
MAFWLR executive director Teofilus Nghitila said the handover represents more than the completion of construction, as sanitation remains directly linked to public health and human dignity.
“Sanitation is fundamental to public health, human dignity and a healthy environment. The facilities being handed over today will contribute to creating safer and more appropriate conditions for patients, health workers and communities using these health facilities,” Nghitila said.
The newly constructed infrastructure forms part of the NWSSP’s rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene component, which supports the construction, upgrading and rehabilitation of water supply schemes, alongside sanitation infrastructure and the promotion of improved hygiene practices.
Nghitila said the success of such projects depends on stronger cooperation between the national ministry and regional structures, warning that regional authorities should not only become involved when projects reach the implementation or handover stage.
“Regional leadership should not only be engaged when projects are ready for implementation or handover. Their involvement is important from the earliest stages of planning and prioritisation, throughout implementation, and into the operation and maintenance of completed infrastructure,” he said.
According to Nghitila, early and continuous regional involvement strengthens ownership, improves coordination and ensures that infrastructure investments respond to the actual needs of communities on the ground.
He acknowledged the Kavango West Regional Council and regional leadership, as well as the African Development Bank, NWSSP team, consultants, contractors, technical personnel and other stakeholders for their role in delivering the facilities.
However, Nghitila stressed that the handover should not be treated as the end of the government’s responsibility. He said the long-term value of the investment would depend on whether the facilities are properly operated, maintained and protected.
“The completion of infrastructure, however, is not the end of our responsibility. It is the beginning of our responsibility to ensure that these facilities are properly operated, maintained and protected so that they continue to serve communities effectively over the long term,” he said.
The call for proper maintenance comes as the government continues to invest billions of dollars in water and sanitation infrastructure across the country, with the effectiveness of such investments ultimately dependent on whether completed facilities remain functional.
Nghitila called on all relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the facilities remain operational and are used for their intended purpose.
He said the government remains committed to improving water and sanitation services across Namibia and ensuring that development spending translates into tangible benefits for communities.
“Today we celebrate progress, but we also reaffirm our commitment to doing more,” Nghitila said.
The five facilities are expected to improve sanitation conditions for patients and health workers and support hygiene as well as public health in the surrounding communities.
