Martin Endjala
The Ministry of Agriculture Water Land and Reform(MAWLR) has partnered with the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia for water – softening projects that will see ten regions benefiting this year and next year
The signing agreement is said to herald a much-needed relief to rural communities all over Namibia.
The ten regions are Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Oshikoto, Kunene, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Omusati and Zambezi
“For years, the government through the agriculture ministry has invested considerable resources in the drilling of boreholes across the country. Regrettably, many of these boreholes have been unsuitable for human consumption and in some instances not even suitable for livestock, “the Ministry’s Executive Director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said.
As per the agreement, the ministry transferred N$15 million to the EIF for purposes of the water-softening systems, including mini desalination plants.
“I am delighted to announce this official signing between the two parties for the funding of the proposed pilot projects in the 10 regions in collaboration with the decentralized function of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination”, expressed the ED.
The project is said to commence on the effective date and shall continue thereafter until 31 December 2024 unless otherwise terminated or extended by a party in accordance with the provision of the agreement signed between the two parties.
The agreement between the two parties is intended for the implementation of Hard Water-Softening Projects.
Nghituwamata added that as a Ministry, these are priority areas they are working on and finding solutions to.
“You will agree with me that it is in the national interest to ensure that every Namibian has access to water of adequate quantity and acceptable quality, Nghituwamata says.
She further revealed that they assigned the Director of water supply and sanitation coordination as project Co-director with the CEO of the EIF, to provide the overall project oversight implemented.
The ministry shall also nominate a team of technical officials from its ranks to cooperate with their EIF counterparts in the project implementation.
Additionally, they will further ensure that all activities under its line of authority are carried out with due diligence, efficiency and in accordance with the required practices and professional standards of operators implementing similar projects and this shall ensure that all targeted water points are repaired and made functional for the water softening intervention to function effectively.
Meanwhile, in September last year, the MAWLR and EIF witnessed the handover of the Reverse Osmosis Units installed at the three community water points, namely communal farms Vrede, Goeiegeluk Pos and Santamab Pos 1 in the Spitzkoppe of Erongo Region.
These technologically advanced facilities are said to contribute massively to improving community livelihoods of the communities at these three communal farms.
