SWAKOPMUND - In a step towards enhancing the quality of life in rural constituencies, the Erongo Regional Council has allocated over N$900 000 to address sanitation challenges in the region. 

This commitment was announced during the budget presentation by council chairperson Benitha Imbamba on Friday. 

On the day, Imbamba emphasised council’s dedication to improving sanitation conditions for rural communities.

She then highlighted the substantial progress made thus far in providing better sanitation access to rural areas and informal settlements in the region. “To address this critical issue, the council has undertaken various projects, including the construction of pit latrines in smaller settlements. We built in Tatamutsi in Uis with funding from First National Bank’s FirstRand Namibia Foundation which also provided N$970 000. Furthermore, the construction of 71 pit latrines for N$1.3 million is nearing completion in the Daures constituency, Karibib constituency and the Walvis Bay Rural constituency,” Imbamba said.

She said the council appointed six contractors, which also resulted in temporary employment opportunities for over 40 community members during the construction of the pit latrines.

“Constructing these facilities is indeed costly due to that access to construction material is a challenge, however, efforts to enhance health and hygiene at the household level continue, and the council is committed to improving the living conditions of our residents,” Imbamba said.

The council’s focus, the chairperson hastened to say, is on assisting economically disadvantaged households by implementing a basic sanitation programme, which includes the elimination of the bucket system. 

This initiative aims to ensure that communities gain access to fundamental amenities such as clean water and sanitation facilities.

Despite the headway made, Imbamba acknowledged the ongoing need for proper sanitation facilities for most residents. 

As of now, approximately 70% of people living in rural areas and informal settlements in Namibia still resort to open defecation, a startling statistic according to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

Recent studies have revealed that Namibia’s dire sanitation situation sets it apart from its Southern African neighbours, ranking as one of the worst in sanitation coverage. 

According to studies, open defecation rates in Namibia are more than double those of Angola to the north and nearly five times higher than in Botswana and Zambia. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na