Ngurare dares mines to pay for mini-desalination plants

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has challenged mines and businesses to pay for mini desalination plants for Erongo and ||Kharas villages dependent on salty borehole water, saying the units cost little more than the refreshments served at conferences.Speaking at the 3rd Namibia Regional Water Symposium in Swakopmund on Wednesday, Ngurare said the technology had already been proven in Erongo.Three reverse-osmosis units installed on communal farms in the Spitzkoppe area cost about N$1 million and turned salty water into fresh drinking water.“I’m therefore challenging you, the mines here in Erongo, the mines in ||Karas region and the business people anywhere with a good balance sheet, at least to adopt and say we will contribute to mini desalination of two, three, four and five,” he said.Pointing to the bottled water and snacks on the delegates’ tables, he half-jokingly added: “In fact, the budget of cookies can be able to give us a mini desalination.”Earlier this week, Ngurare ordered NamWater to get water to drought-hit constituencies in Omusati. He said the same instruction applies in Erongo.“If there is something in Kuiseb, if there is something in Omatjete, equally the instruction is the same. We want to make sure that water flows,” he said. “Yes, I know about Uis,” he added.He named Otjimbingwe among the areas where government has the capacity to supply water.He instructed relevant authorities to ensure that the rural water supply directorate has the resources to respond.Ngurare said water sector funding now stands at more than N$1 billion, of which over N$867 million goes towards water infrastructure development, maintenance and rehabilitation.He also took aim at development partners and consultants who, he said, slow urgent work with endless studies.“If there is to be a borehole, please let’s go and give water to the people,” he said.He asked financiers to fund immediate needs, not only medium- and long-term projects.

Ngurare dares mines to pay for mini-desalination plants

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-13

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Ngurare dares mines to pay for mini-desalination plants

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-13

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