Hidipo Hamata of the Popular Democratic Movement party says the issue of water scarcity in the Ohangwena region is at the heart of the party and is receiving the utmost attention it deserves. 

“I am dedicated to reintroducing the motion and working diligently towards its swift passage,” he said in response to a concerned resident who approached him for assistance in urgently reintroducing the motion in Parliament on the Ohangwena aquifer to address critical water shortages in the Okongo constituency.

Jonas Tangi, a concerned youth in that area, wrote to Hamata recently to vent his frustration at the dire water shortage that has befallen the people of the Ohangwena region and its surrounding areas.

This letter came after a recent distressing video, depicting a woman collecting water from a contaminated pond, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the pressing need for immediate action.

Tangi told Hamata: “The people of Ohangwena region have entrusted you with their votes and their hopes for a better future, and they look to you as their representative to champion their needs wholeheartedly. The plight of the inhabitants, who are enduring the hardship of fetching water from distant sources, cannot be ignored any longer. As elected representatives, it is our solemn duty to ensure the well-being and prosperity of our constituents, and it is imperative that we take meaningful steps to alleviate their suffering.”

Hamata further said he is fully aware of the importance of the Ohangwena aquifer motion in alleviating the water scarcity problem. 

He added that the distressing situation depicted in the video serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges the constituents are enduring. 

“I am actively working to ensure that the well-being and basic rights of the people in the Ohangwena region are upheld. I will continue to prioritise this matter and keep you updated on the progress made,” he responded.

Tangi further said the video that has circulated on social media serves as a stark reminder that the basic human right to clean and safe drinking water is being denied to his fellow citizens.

“The constituents you serve are grappling with water scarcity that affects not only their daily lives but also their health and dignity. This dire situation emphasises the importance of the motion regarding the Ohangwena aquifer, which holds the potential to provide a sustainable solution to the water crisis.”

He further stressed that it is distressing to note that despite the region’s abundant underground water resources, the scarcity persists.

In addition, he said the efforts being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, as outlined by deputy executive director Elijah Ngurare are undoubtedly a step in the right direction. However, the urgency of the matter necessitates a comprehensive and concerted approach that includes the reintroduction and swift passage of the motion on the Ohangwena aquifer.

“The people of Ohangwena region, as evidenced by the comments on social media and the testimonies of community members, are at a breaking point. Their resilience and determination in the face of such hardships are admirable, but they deserve better. It is our shared responsibility to advocate for their well-being and ensure that their fundamental rights are upheld,” Tangi stressed.

He urged Hamata to expedite the reintroduction of his motion on the Ohangwena Aquifer because the lives and livelihoods of the constituents hang in the balance, and his leadership is crucial in ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. - fhamalwa@nepc.com.na