KATIMA MULILO – The community of Lubuta in the Judea Lyaboloma constituency of the Zambezi region recently became beneficiaries of the SACREEE-funded solar water pumping irrigation project, which will contribute to food security.
The project, which the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) funded to the tune of N$1.5 million, seeks to uplift the living standards of the inhabitants of Lubuta village by enabling them to plough and harvest on a two-hectare piece of land throughout the year.
Deputy mines and energy minister Kornelia Shilunga said the project is another indication that government and its partners are committed to fighting poverty at all levels countrywide.
“I am excited to learn that 100 households are directly going to benefit from this project, and that another 300 households from the surrounding community are going to benefit indirectly.
“It is of paramount importance that the community takes care of the generous donation they have received, and they should also maximise utilisation in order to enhance their living conditions,” she noted. Meanwhile, SACREEE representative Kuda Ndlukula pointed out that the 2.5 kilowatt solar-powered borehole, drilled at a depth of 80 metres, has three 10 000 litres water tanks, which will ensure that water is readily available.
“You are not alone in this project; SACREEE is not abandoning you. We are using this project as a pilot, which other countries would want. As I said, there are 15 other SADC countries; there are other villages; there are other constituencies; there are other regions. They are all looking up to you, and want to see this garden prosper. They want to get some good lessons from this garden,” he emphasised.
JudeaLyabolomaconstituency councillor Humphrey Divai said his constituency and the community of Lubuta are grateful to have been chosen in SADC to be the recipients of this project.
“We are grateful to be the recipients of this renewable energy project. The purpose of government providing services to people is so that we get out of our comfort zones, and work hard to fight all forms of poverty amongst our own communities, as well as build the economy.”
Sacreee was established in 2015 by the SADC Council of ministers at its meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana, which also endorsed and approved Namibia as the host country for the Sacreee Centre.
In 2016, the SACREEE office was established in Windhoek, and the Namibian government agreed to provide office space and seconded staff to the centre.
Part of its mandate is to contribute towards increased access to modern energy services and improved energy security across the SADC region through the promotion of a market-based uptake of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies and energy services.
The centre also supports the region’s sustainable development objectives through resource mobilisation, policy, quality assurance, capacity-building and knowledge management, as well as communicationand promoting investments for various projects and programmes.
* Aron Mushaukwa is an information officer for the MICT in the Zambezi region.