ACCESS TO WATER: The borehole that was handed over to the community of Ohamutwetautende villagem in Ohangwena Region
ACCESS TO WATER: The borehole that was handed over to the community of Ohamutwetautende villagem in Ohangwena Region

Fresh water for Ohamutwetautende village

New borehole to improve access to safe, clean water
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged villagers to safeguard the new borehole from vandalism, highlighting that it will improve food security and allow villagers to build community gardens.
Kenya Kambowe
A new borehole was inaugurated at Ohamutwetautende village and surrounding areas last weekend to improve access to safe drinking water and lessen the long distances residents have endured to obtain water.

The borehole was handed over by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila during a belated Independence Day event held on Saturday.

“It is with great pleasure for me to return to this community – this time to commission this water infrastructure, which is a fulfilment of what I came to know as one of the most important needs of this community – water supply," the prime minister said.

“When I was here in 2022, the need for clean water was observed, and I am happy to hand over a borehole to the community of Ohamutwetautende village and surrounding communities.”

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the project was implemented in partnership with the agriculture and water ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister.

The project was funded as part of a drought relief project under the prime minister's office to the tune of N$604 641.25.

The agriculture ministry provided the piping for the borehole stretching a 10-kilometre radius to connect over nine water points, including 11 villages, at a cost of N$2 760 522.

Multiple water projects

The prime minister said another borehole was drilled at Ohamukwata village at a cost of N$822 223.17 with installations and reticulations at Ohamukwata main, Ohamukwata A, Omakango Omumakani No.1, Omushayi community, Okakando Komupanda and Omakango Omumakani No.2 at the cost of N$2 765 205.76.

She said another drilling and installation took place at Oikuku village, costing N$3 620 820.

“I implore you to use these boreholes to strengthen your households’ resilience to disaster risk and increase food security, as well as create jobs for locals through community-irrigated gardens and school gardening,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

She also called upon the communities to protect and guard the boreholes from vandalism.

“The current vandalism and theft of equipment at the boreholes undermine government efforts to provide safe water to all needy communities,” she said.

Safety nets

Meanwhile, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said government currently spends about N$7 billion a year on social safety nets that benefit over a million citizens.

“Over the past years since independence, our government has been pursuing measures to achieve national development and improve the welfare of our communities. Currently, government maintains approximately over one million Namibians annually through the expenditure of N$7 billion on social safety nets.”

She highlighted that “several achievements have been realised in several areas, including improved access to social services, improved infrastructure and higher economic growth."

Nevertheless, challenges remain despite government efforts, she added.

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Namibian Sun 2024-05-08

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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 308.73/OZ DOWN -0.0028 | Copper US$ 4.51/lb DOWN -0.0109 | Zinc US$ 2 927.30/T UP 0.33% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 84.28/BBP UP +0.88% | Platinum US$ 975.87/OZ DOWN -0.0028