Neckartal irrigation scheme moves closer

A government directive to commence with the second irrigation phase of the Neckartal Dam on a public-private partnership (PPP) has been issued.

“We have talked, met and made promises for too long," Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told attendees at the official opening of the 19th Lüderitz Crayfish Festival on 1 May.

"I can confirm that the directive was issued that phase two, the irrigation scheme involving people with land to the south of the dam, must begin on a PPP,” he said.

Ngurare said the PPP would be advertised in the first or second quarter of 2027 to allow the irrigation scheme to begin and boost food production in the area.

"This is no longer just a promise or political talk. We want the minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Inge Zaamwani, to walk the talk," he said.

"Today the dam is full, and precisely for that matter, we asked the minister recently, when the budget was discussed, that we move ahead with haste, and she agreed."

He added that the momentum now rests with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to ensure the project proceeds without delay.

Fulfilling its promise

IIKharas governor Gaob Dawid Gertze welcomed the prime minister's statement.

"It will change the employment narrative, enhance the livelihoods of my people and bring about the prayed-for economic development of the IIKharas region," he said.

He said a PPP model "is the way to go, and my only expectation is that the process be transparent and considerate of local content".

Ngurare said the Neckartal Dam was built amid scepticism about whether it would ever fill up.

"Many said that the construction of the dam was a waste of resources and it would never get full. President Hifikepunye Pohamba went forth and took the lead to make sure that the dam was built," he noted.

He added that the project has two phases: the dam infrastructure and the irrigation scheme. Traditional authorities are seeking 1 200 hectares so that young people in the area who aspire to farming can benefit.

The Neckartal, Namibia's largest dam, is located on the Fish River in the vicinity of Keetmanshoop and was inaugurated in March 2020.

The dam overflowed for the first time on 19 January 2021 after an exceptionally good rainy season. The 80-metre-high curved gravity dam with an 857-million-cubic-metre capacity was built for irrigation purposes, designed to support a 5 000-hectare agricultural scheme which has faced delays. 

Stage two of the dam project, involving the laying of pipes and digging of canals for the suggested irrigation projects, has not yet started despite the dam being fully functional.