The Khomas Regional Council is planning to construct 101 pit latrines in Kransneus, Ueros and Khanubeb.
Chief regional officer Clement Mafwila informed New Era last Thursday that the council has been implementing the Basic Rural Sanitation Programme by constructing pit latrines in rural areas every financial year, and will now construct 45 at Kransneus, 35 at Ueros and 21 at Khanubeb.
The construction of the facilities provides access to toilets and proper washing stations for learners, thereby helping to stop the spread of communicable diseases such as Covid-19 and Hepatitis E.
Mafwila said in terms of the rural sanitation programme, the region constructed and completed 84 portable toilets in the localities of the Windhoek Rural Constituency at a total value of N$1.2 million. The construction of 74 more portable toilets at a total value of N$1.3 million also commenced at the end of last year.
“Before the construction of community and household toilets, the community had challenges in accessing sanitation and hygiene care. The community members had to defecate in the open (in bushes and fields). Hence, the rural sanitation programme made an impact by providing access to toilet facilities,” he added.
The regional council is also exploring other ways, through research, to identify the possible ways of constructing improved and environmentally-friendly toilets. The bidding documents for the supply and installation of dry pit toilets are to be purchased at the Khomas Regional Council’s head office before 6 July.
He observed that the regional council is installing the dry toilets as per the national programme coordinated by the urban and rural development ministry, and implemented in all 14 regions.