DIVUNDU – NamWater on Friday launched a N$26 million water project to provide clean water to residents of Divundu and Bagani.
The project was officially launched last week on Friday by Kavango East Governor, Dr Samuel Mbambo, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa.
Mbambo said said it is important that NamWater continues to play a role in the country’s development, adding that by doing so, the water utility adds more value to the service it renders as well as helps to contribute to the country’s grand development plan Vision 2030.
“I am happy that NamWater continues to honour this humble service to the nation. The role that you play as the supplier of water is very crucial to the country as no country can develop without water,” said Mbambo.
He said what lies behind a tap is an amazing and complicated process that requires detailed planning, commitment and dedication to ensure the goals of the government are carried out through water service provision, so that every citizen has access to clean, piped water.
Mbambo commended NamWater for realising the need to provide water to the Divundu settlement and the surrounding areas and urged the recipients to pay for the water they use so that NamWater can further afford to deliver clean water.
“I want the nation to realise that the service of providing water is very costly, money is not only spent on infrastructure development but also on cleaning the water to ensure we receive an excellent product. We should not only appreciate this service by word of mouth, we should also do our part by paying for the service, so that when you pay for your water bill, you ought to be proud of yourself because you are the one building the nation,” he said.
NamWater Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vaino Shivute, urged the community not to vandalise the water facilities.
He said the launch of the structure “is not the last one as NamWater has similar projects for other regions in the pipeline as well.”
Councillor of the Mukwe Constituency, Christian Muriki, said: “We are well aware that water is needed for humam consumption as well as agriculture, therefore I applaud our government and NamWater for adhering to the call of President Hifikepunye Pohamba to take development where the people are.” The potable water will be stored in ground level reservoirs for distribution through pump stations to the end-users.
NamWater is a GRN parastatal, mandated by the government to supply water for both domestic and industrial purposes.
By John Muyamba