Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The newly appointed Chairperson of the board of Namibia Water Corporation Limited (Namwater), Luther Rukira says he is ready to tackle all water challenges.
Rukira was appointed yesterday to serve on the board, by the Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein. The board will serve for the next three years.
He is deputised by Maenge Shiipiki-Kali. Other members include Vivianne Kinyaga, Francis Heunis,Uda Nakamela, Fanuel Uugwanga and Matty Hauanga as Directors.
“I have been out of the NamWater sector for about ten years. I know of some NamWater challenges and I am confident that together we will be able to resolve them. It is very important that we leave the organisation better than we found it so that we can make sure that our grandchildren still have the services,” he said.
Schlettwein on his part said that he was satisfied with the work of the previous board of Directors, that they took care of strategies like developing strategies and downsizing.
“In the next three years, we should increase the water supply by improving the utilization of the system infrastructures and also developing new ones. We need to reduce water losses. It is very obvious if you have high water losses then the water will be expensive. We need to invest in water treatment and purification to ensure that the water we produce and deliver to communities is healthy,” he added.
Schlettwein said the board was appointed with key responsibilities to ensure the timely implementation of the capital projects outlined in the Water Sector Support Program.
“The Namibian government has committed to supporting the water sector through the Namibia Water Sector Support Programs. In the last three years, progressive steps have been taken to adequately fund the sector, addressing ageing water infrastructure and developing new schemes to serve underserved areas,” he said.
The key projects are the new purification plants in Rundu, Katima Mulilo, and Oshakati, rehabilitation work on the Omahenene to Oshakati Canal Rerouting of the canal around Oshikuku Settlement, rehabilitation work on pipelines supplying rural communities such as Ondangwa to Omutse Gwonime pipeline, Ogongo to Oshakati Pipeline, rehabilitation of the pipeline between Naute and Keetmanshoop and rehabilitation of pipelines in the central coastal area, strengthening the integrated water supply system.
“It is essential for them to be aware of key shareholder expectations which include, fostering a professional relationship between the board and management and upholding the provisions of the company’s governing statutes, such as the NamWater Act, Public Enterprises Governance Act, and governing charters of the Board, “Schlettwein said.
