Rural sanitation project takes root in Oshana

Taking a step towards health and hygiene in the region, the urban and rural development ministry has allocated over N$2 million for the Oshana rural development project.The project is set to be implemented in the 2023/2024 financial year. Its primary objective is to implement a rural sanitation programme, focusing on constructing 152 rural toilets.Senior public relations officer at the Oshana regional council, Elly Ashikoto said N$2.12 million will be distributed through the council. The cost of each toilet, inclusive of materials and labour costs, is estimated at about N$13 786.The Ongwediva Rural Development Centre (ORDC) will execute the project, with a committed cost of N$1.62 million.Community empowermentAccording to Ashikoto, the sanitation initiative will create employment for approximately 116 unemployed youth from the region.“The regional council is investing N$471 200 to engage these individuals in the project, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative are not only confined to improved sanitation, but also extend to economic empowerment within the community. Importantly, all employment opportunities will be strictly sourced from local constituencies, providing a direct avenue for community members to contribute to and benefit from the project.”She added that to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of resources, the regional council has adopted a proportional ratio based on population statistics.“The total of 152 toilets strategically addresses the sanitation needs of the various constituencies, with allocation based on the size and needs of each community. Furthermore, the regional council is actively promoting local businesses by acquiring bricks exclusively from local brickmakers within each constituency,” Ashikoto said.The distribution of toilets across constituencies is as follows: Okatana will receive 18, Okaku 22, Okatjali 10, Ondangwa Rural 17, Ondangwa Urban 10, Ongwediva 17, Ompundja 10, Oshakati East 13, Oshakati West 10, Uukwiyuushona 15 and Uuvudhiya 10.700 toiletsThe regional council has been committed to the sanitation programme for the past five years and has so far built over 700 toilets, with priority given to people with disabilities and vulnerable communities - including pensioners and orphans, Ashikoto said.The first 230 toilets were constructed during the 2017/18 financial year to the tune of N$2.3 million. In the 2018/19 financial year, a total of 333 toilets were built at a cost of N$5.4 million.A further 76 toilets were constructed during the 2019/20 financial year for N$592 210, while the renovation of two blocks of toilets was done at Okakuejo.

Rural sanitation project takes root in Oshana

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-05

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Rural sanitation project takes root in Oshana

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-05

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