Water a basic human right – Schlettwein

Agriculture and water minister Calle Schlettwein says it is time to declare access to water a basic human right, emphasising that water provision has been taken for granted for too long.“I am convinced that the time has come that we must consider access to water a basic human right. We have the right to live, which right becomes moot if water is unavailable. The right to water therefore must be accepted.”Schlettwein made these remarks at the commemoration of World Water Day held in Opuwo in the Kunene Region.Of the total volume of water globally, it is estimated that a mere 2.5% is available as fresh water, and of that, 96% is tied up in polar ice caps, glaciers or underground.The minister warned that demand for water has been increasing globally and in Namibia.This trend will continue over the coming decades due to population growth, socio-economic development and increased food production, he stressed.‘Existential importance’Climate change is disrupting the freshwater cycle, and with that, it brings about severe negative consequences.“Rising temperatures and increased rainfall variability are already evident on our continent of Africa," Schlettwein said. In many areas, freshwater resources, which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and pollution, are declining and becoming increasingly unpredictable and unavailable.The minister highlighted that Namibia, with its erratic and arid climate, is particularly vulnerable.“Water is of existential importance to households for life, food production, cultural norms, provision of health, education, economic activities and maintenance of the natural environment, including wildlife.”Working togetherSchlettwein further stressed that transboundary water cooperation cannot be overemphasised in an interconnected world.Through transboundary water cooperation, projects such as the Calueque Scheme were made possible.“The Baynes Hydropower Project, when eventually implemented, will bring much-needed economic inputs in the form of power to our communities and nation at large. Other infrastructure, such as roads, will become more available to make community connectivity easier.”Furthermore, government in its efforts to ensure water provision in the Kunene Region, is constructing the Ohamaremba-Okangwati Pipeline.The project is 79% complete and is expected to be finished by the end of July. It will provide potable water to the Okanguati settlement from the Ohamaremba aquifer.Similarly, 31 production boreholes were successfully installed during this financial year, while the installation of nine drilled boreholes is ongoing, and contractors are currently rehabilitating 27 existing boreholes. This brings the total number of active boreholes to 682.The construction of two mini desalination plants was also completed in the Sesfontein and Petrusfontein constituencies, respectively.

Water a basic human right – Schlettwein

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-14

Please login to leave a comment

Water a basic human right – Schlettwein

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-14

Please login to leave a comment

Login