Critical water-sharing deal inked

Namibia and Angola have renewed their inter-governmental cooperation regarding the shared resources of the Kunene River basin, with the first phase of the Kunene Transboundary Water Supply Project (KTWSP) having now been completed.The KTWSP is a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) pilot project under its regional strategic water development programme, which includes the development and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation infrastructure in southern Angola and northern Namibia for communities and towns along the border between the two countries.The project is being implemented by the 'Task Force Calueque', a committee of the permanent joint technical commission (PJTC) of the Kunene basin.It is being supported by KfW Development Bank and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in cooperation with UK Aid and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).The KTWSP has two major components, which are water abstraction in Angola from the Calueque Dam and a conveyance system in Namibia and Angola. The conveyance system will transport sufficient water to the transfer point between Namibia and Angola at the Santa Clara border post opposite Oshikango.During the project inauguration and cooperation agreement signing at the Calueque Dam in the Cunene province of Angola on Monday, water minister Alpheus !Naruseb said the main aim of the project is to improve accessibility to a reliable, affordable and sustainable water supply. !Naruseb signed the agreement on behalf of Namibia, while his Angolan counterpart Joao Borges signed on behalf of his country.Over half of the Namibian population depend on water from the Kunene River and it's up to the two countries to ensure the equitable and reasonable allocation of water to both countries, !Naruseb said.“The climate change predictions in our region are leaning towards increased frequent drought and occasional floods, leaving us to compete more and more for water resources. Water infrastructure development is necessary to enhance water security and increase resilience against climate variability and climate change,” he said“We have always been calling for and promoting shared benefits from shared water resources. Today the Calueque communities are able to enjoy safe drinking water from the Kunene with easy access. Namibia has access to the same water for power generation and domestic and irrigation use from the Calueque.”According to the project scope, the Calueque Dam pump station and intake at the Kunene River in Angola have been upgraded and refurbished, including the electrical and mechanical equipment. A water treatment plant and distribution system have also been constructed to supply water to Angola's Calueque village. On the Namibian side the system is operated by NamWater, which supplies bulk water to industries, municipalities and the directorate of rural water supply in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, which supplies water to rural communities.On the Angolan side, a Cunene water utility has been established to operate and maintain the water supply and wastewater schemes in the province.Potable water from the Calueque treatment plant is being delivered to the Angolan towns of Santa Clara, Namacunde, Omupanda and the provincial capital Ondjiva, with distribution occurring at defined strategic points in each town, including house connections and public taps. The extension of the existing bulk supply system will require the upgrading of pump stations at Omakango, Omafo and Oshikango in Namibia, and the installation of a new main transmission pipe between the existing reservoir compound at Oshikango and the Namibian-Angolan border.The 40km pipeline between Santa Clara and Ondjiva, completed by the Angolan government in 2005, will be optimised for the provision of services in both directions. Electricity supply for the pump station at Santa Clara will also be provided.Basic sanitation measures are included for the towns of Santa Clara, Namacunde and Omupuanda. A new sewerage network and wastewater treatment plant will be designed and constructed at Ondjiva.This scheme will satisfy the basic requirements of the urban population in four towns in the short-term and is seen as an interim solution until the Xangongo Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme is in place.ILENI NANDJATO

Critical water-sharing deal inked

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Critical water-sharing deal inked

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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