Namibia retains control over groundwater – Ngurare

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has assured lawmakers that Namibia will retain control over how its groundwater resources are assessed, extracted and used amid the involvement of Chinese experts in the country’s groundwater development programme.

Ngurare said the Chinese experts would not determine when or how water is extracted or how it is ultimately used, stressing that Namibia’s national interests and security remain the government’s priority.

“The identification of the needs of our people, in respect of water, is the priority of the government,” Ngurare told the National Assembly last week.

Ngurare said the involvement of development partners came after government appealed for assistance during the drought.

“During the drought the government appealed and the Chinese came on board,” he said.

He stressed that the Chinese experts would complement, rather than take over, Namibia’s water-resource management responsibilities.

The comments come as a team of Chinese experts conducts a two-week feasibility study on groundwater development and borehole drilling across Namibia’s 14 regions.

“They are not the ones to dictate how and when the water is extracted and how to be used and in what manner,” Ngurare said.

He was responding to official opposition leader Immanuel Nashinge, who sought clarity on agreements with development partners, particularly regarding the technical specifications of the boreholes, human resources and the role of the agriculture and water ministry.

Nashinge also asked what arrangements would be in place once the boreholes had been completed, including who would be responsible for servicing and maintaining them.

Ngurare explained that identifying communities and areas in need of water remains a government responsibility, while the department of water affairs is responsible for water supply and water resources management.

The department’s groundwater function includes assessing groundwater availability, monitoring water resources and supporting the management and maintenance of groundwater infrastructure.

Mineral concerns

He further addressed concerns that groundwater exploration could potentially lead to the discovery of minerals.

Ngurare said any minerals discovered during water exploration would remain under the authority of the Namibian government.

“I can understand the fear," he said.

"Perhaps the experts come under the guise of water and look for other minerals. It is our duty to ensure that whoever is invited in our country has permission and specific guidelines,” he said.

Ngurare added that Namibia’s national interest and security would remain paramount in determining the terms under which foreign experts operate in the country.

Agriculture and water ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda earlier said in a press release that the water study will assess potential groundwater sources, water quality and the technical requirements for drilling boreholes in identified areas. Muyunda said the findings are expected to inform possible future cooperation between Namibia and China on groundwater development and water supply.

Namibia’s Water Resources Management Act requires a licence for borehole drilling and regulates the abstraction and protection of groundwater. The law also provides for consideration of groundwater potential, efficient water use and the potential impact of abstraction on aquifers and communities.