In an effort to fight water shortage in the Ohangwena region, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila officially handed over the second-largest borehole in the region at the belated 34th Independence celebration that took place at Ohamutwetautende village in Epembe constituency on Saturday.
The borehole, catering to close to 11 villages, was funded to the tune of N$604 641.25 by the Office of the Prime Minister as part of its drought relief programme. The water sources come as a relief for villagers, who, for decades had to walk long distances to fetch water. Some people walk between 10 km and 15 km to fetch water for household use.
“When I was here in 2022, the need for clean water was observed, and I am happy to hand over a borehole to the community of Ohamutwetautende and the surrounding communities,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The project was implemented in a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and the OPM.
She noted that the project was funded as part of the drought relief programme under the OPM, while the ministry of agriculture, provided the water pipes from the borehole to over a 10 km radius to over nine water points at a cost of N$2 760 522.
“Still in Ohangwena region, a borehole for 11 villages has been drilled at Ohamukwata village to the tune of N$822 223.17, with installations and reticulations at Ohamukwata main, Ohamukwata A, Omakango Omumakani No.1, Omushayi Community, Okakando Komupanda and Omakango Omumakani No.2 at the cost N$2 765 205.76,” she added. She further said another borehole was drilled and installed at Oikuku village to the tune of N$3 620 820. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila advised residents to use boreholes to strengthen their households’ resilience to disaster risk and increase food security, as well as create jobs for the locals through community irrigated gardens and school gardening.
“I also implore you to protect and guard these assets against vandalism. The current vandalism and theft of equipment at the boreholes undermine government efforts to provide safe water to all needy communities,” she said.
She said this is aligned with their desire – and as leaders, they should remain in touch with all their communities and be up to date on their conditions and the status of progress of the government development interventions – and of course, to celebrate important milestones. Ministry of agriculture’s executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata last year said 120 water pumps that were installed to benefit different communities countrywide have been stolen.
The Prime Minister also proceeded to Ohamukwata village in the Oshikunde constituency for the official handover of boreholes.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na