Croc-prone villages to get boreholes

Ellanie SmitWINDHOEK

Several villages prone to crocodile attacks in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions were identified for the installation of boreholes. This is to ensure that villagers do not have to turn to the Kavango River – which has been dubbed the ‘River of Death’ – for water.

The villages were identified in April by the agriculture ministry in consultation with regional leadership.

The agriculture ministry’s executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said this at the inauguration and handing over of the Thikanduko Water Project in Kavango East’s Mukwe constituency.

“We have started drilling and installing boreholes at some villages.”

According to her, the environment ministry is expected to drill and install boreholes at villages such as Kashira, Kapako, Shadikongoro and Mutjiku as well.

Oil company ReconAfrica also agreed to drill and install boreholes at the Shamangumbo, Kangongo, Tjeye, Rundjarara, Kake and Kayova villages, she said.

“We must collectively affirm that never again should any life be lost in search of water from the river.”

Fewest water points

Meanwhile, Nghituwamata outlined some of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to supply water to rural communities, especially in the two Kavango regions.

“We are fully aware that, statistically, Kavango East, Kavango West and Otjozondjupa have the lowest [number of] water points in the country.”

In addition to rehabilitating or drilling and installing boreholes in villages, “we are also embarking on constructing and rehabilitating some earth dams as well as modernising traditional wells”.

She added that the ministry, together with the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), successfully piloted a mini desalination plant in Erongo in August. This project includes river water abstraction.

According to her, an agreement has been entered into between the two parties and the Office of the Attorney-General green-lighted it this month.

Implementation of the project will start in earnest early next year, she said.

Security of supply

“We have been directed by our minister to ensure security of [water] supply in rural areas. This will entail that each village be equipped with no less than two functioning boreholes,” Nghituwamata said.

This will ensure that when one borehole is out of order, the other - which is linked to a central reservoir - will immediately supply water to the village or any rural community.

The Programme for Community Land Development within the ministry has been drilling a number of boreholes for small-scale farmers in Kavango East, she said, adding that the programme will continue in Kavango West in the next financial year.

Further, the upgrade of the Rundu treatment plant will ensure that ample capacity is developed to construct pipelines from Rundu to Katwitwi, Mururani and Mukwe.

“The drilling of boreholes for the Rundu-Shambyu pipeline as well as the Bunya-Ntara pipeline is the first phase of the project.”

In collaboration with its health and education counterparts, the agriculture ministry - through the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme – also provides water supply and sanitation facilities to schools and clinics across the country.