Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani has pledged to construct desalination plants along Namibia’s coast if his party is voted into power.
Speaking at a rally in Walvis Bay over the weekend, Venaani emphasised the urgency of addressing the country’s water crisis, which was exacerbated by the recent suspension of water extraction from the Hardap Dam due to drought.
“This is a crisis that demands urgent action. I have seen the everyday hard-working Namibians at the forefront of being impacted by severe water shortages as I travel throughout Namibia. Communities are fighting to survive. Families have to make do with less. In order to guarantee that no Namibian is left without access to this essential resource, PDM is dedicated to enhancing the water supply throughout the country,’’ he said.
Communities in areas such as Omatjete, Otjimbingwe, Spitzkoppe, and Uis in the Erongo region are grappling with low water supplies.
Venaani outlined the PDM’s commitment to improving water infrastructure, including plans to build earth dams in water-stressed regions.
He proposed the installation of water points within 100 meters of settlements, particularly in areas prone to human-wildlife conflict, to ensure access to clean water.
In addition to addressing water scarcity, Venaani also pointed to the ongoing sanitation challenges facing many Namibians.
‘’We also cannot ignore the persistent problems with sanitation in our communities. Over 56% of families in this region do not have access to appropriate toilets, and we cannot afford to keep them stuck in such a cycle and way of life. This issue affects not just our health but also our dignity,” he said.
Venaani argued that as the world changes, more Namibian families are falling into poverty.
Venaani used the rally to urge voters to reject the Swapo party, criticising its track record and accusing it of betraying public trust.
He highlighted the lack of recent labour force survey results, pointing out that the last unemployment data from 2018 showed a 40% unemployment rate, which has likely worsened.
‘’We have been betrayed. Recently, the government’s failure to release up-to-date labour statistics is a glaring example of how public trust has been eroded. The last official unemployment data we have from 2018 revealed an almost 40% unemployment rate, a staggering figure that has likely worsened as 250,000 to 300,000 young people enter the labour force each year with little hope for meaningful employment,’’ lamented Venaani.
