Ya Ndakolo bemoans slow pace of infrastructure development

Oshikoto governor Penda Ya Ndakolo has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of infrastructure development in the region while acknowledging the positive strides made by the government.Ya Ndakolo was speaking during the State of the Region Address (Sora) last Friday, where he highlighted the progress made on projects and the challenges the region faces.He attributed the slow development pace to a lack of resources.“Oshikoto Region, being largely rural, is faced with major infrastructure development challenges such as lack of feeder road networks, adequate clean water supply and access to electricity," he said, underscoring that "access to infrastructure is a key enabler to regional development."He added that while these challenges are being addressed, this is not taking place "at the desired pace due to lack of resources.”Water woesYa Ndakolo also elaborated on the lack of potable water in the Oshikoto Region.“The challenges with regard to access to clean water in the Oshikoto Region, more especially in areas on the eastern side of Omuthiya, are well known,” Ya Ndakolo said.“The problems are mainly low pipe water pressure and salty borehole water. I am happy to report that significant steps are taken to address these challenges."On the issue of low water pressure, Ya Ndakolo said the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline is currently being replaced and upgraded in order to increase water supply and water security in areas between Ondangwa and Omutsegonime.Work underway The construction contract for phase one of the pipeline (Ondangwa-Oshali) has been awarded and the site was handed over to the contractor on 16 May.A total of N$27.5 million is budgeted for this project, he explained. “Similarly, it is pleasing to report that N$79 279 000 is budgeted for the Oshivelo-Omutsegwonime water supply. This project entails the development of the Oshivelo artesian aquifer to supply water to the Oshikoto Region. The tender for borehole siting, drilling and aquifer modelling is expected to be advertised this year,” he said.“The government continues to drill deep boreholes and has recently introduced the mini desalination plants to purify salty borehole water. Currently, two boreholes at Omeyantalala and Otanaha using the reverse osmosis mini desalination are operational. Four others at Onelago, Akazulu, Oshikodailwa and Otatashe are awarded to the contractors.”kenya@namibiansun.com

Ya Ndakolo bemoans slow pace of infrastructure development

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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Ya Ndakolo bemoans slow pace of infrastructure development

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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