OMUTHIYA – The Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform plans to modernise traditional wells in the Oshikoto region in order to prevent drownings.
Deputy executive director Elijah Ngurare said the modernisation process will be carried out by an in-house team from Omuthiya, with materials readily available.
He was speaking to Nampa after a man drowned on Saturday in the Eendungu dhakambwela wells, which are situated in the Nehale Lyampingana constituency.
He noted that the ministry has previously modernised traditional wells at Tsandi and Onesi in the Omusati region, and these are now privately-owned.
Ngurare said nobody regulates the traditional wells in terms of their safety, and the ministry therefore engaged geologists and engineers in 2021 to collaborate and have them registered.
“Through registration, we can have consultations so that our traditional authorities can get involved, and have the owners of the traditional wells assist the community. Modernising means you build these wells the same way you build toilets, by putting in foundations and using cement. You then install a submissive pump that you connect with a solar panel, and then you have the characteristics of a complete borehole,” he explained.
Ngurare said the water is used more for livestock and plants, as it is not suitable for human consumption because it is salty.
He then urged community members to take care of the wells, as they have experienced theft of items in the past.
– Nampa