Lahja Nashuuta
OTJIWARONGO – The government has allocated N$31 million towards rural sanitation in the current financial year, Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has announced.
Speaking at the Rural Development Annual Progress Review and Planning Workshop held recently in Otjiwarongo, Sankwasa said more than 1 000 toilet facilities have already been constructed through Regional Councils, with the biggest progress seen in Oshana and Ohangwena.
“I want to take a moment to recognise the exceptional efforts of the Oshana and Ohangwena Regional Councils. Their commitment to a labour-based construction approach for toilets has not only improved sanitation but also created much-needed local employment.
I urge other councils to follow this transformative example for public health, safety and human dignity,” he said.
He stressed the need to strengthen the Community-Led Total Sanitation approach, an approach that envisions to end open defecation and improve access to and use of latrines, particularly for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly and child-headed households.
Sankwasa further called for subsidies to be distributed fairly, transparently and in line with the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy.
He emphasised the need for collaboration between Regional Councils, Constituency Development Committees and Traditional Leaders.
“Experience elsewhere shows us that traditional leaders, as trusted community figures, play a crucial role in mobilising communities to adopt new sanitation behaviours,” he said.
Sankwasa revealed that, through regional councils, over 300 rural projects, focusing on food security and the provision of basic infrastructure, such as water, electricity and rural access roads, have been completed.
Mururani
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has expressed disappointment over the stalled construction of sanitation facilities at Mururani Checkpoint.
During an inspection visit, he found the site deserted, with no workers present and no visible progress.
Standing among half-finished structures, he questioned the commitment of the contractors responsible.
“It’s time government, through line ministries, takes note of contractors who fail to deliver. We can’t keep giving opportunities to those who clearly don’t take them seriously,” he said.
Ngurare criticised the poor quality of the little work that had been done, saying it was clearly substandard.
Mururani, along with Welda, Divundu, Kongola and Oshivelo, is earmarked for improved sanitation facilities to benefit both officers stationed at checkpoints and the travelling public.
The project was also meant to create jobs for unemployed youth, who would maintain the facilities once completed.