NKURENKURU – The Kavango West Regional Council has constructed close to 100 rural toilets spread across different constituencies during the 2023/2024 financial year. 

The council has set aside a further N$2.3 million for the rural sanitation programme this year.

“As previously reported, the council continues to implement the rural sanitation programme. However, more budget allocation is required under this programme to help the region address sanitation problems,’’ said Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku during her State of the Region Address .

She reported that during the year under review, the Directorate of Rural Water Supply drilled and installed 27 new boreholes in the crocodile-prone areas in all constituencies along the Kavango River. 

“The provision of safe drinking water remains a top priority in the region,’’ she said.

In addition, Ausiku indicated that two traditional wells were modernised at Sharukwe village in Ncuncuni and Tjohwa in Mpungu constituencies, while three earth dams are under construction at Murere, Ndombe za Matava [both in Tondoro constituency] and Gava in Mpungu constituency. 

“However, more still needs to be done in water provision because, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency, only 76.3% of the population in the region has access to safe drinking water, and some still travel at least 31km to access water points. 

I am also encouraging our communities to safeguard their water infrastructure from vandalism and theft,’’ she said.

Ausiku further noted that the region appreciates the launch of the new bulk water treatment plant by NamWater in Rundu.

The plant will provide water to rural Kavango West, along the Rundu-Nkurenkuru and along the Rundu-Grootfontein roads, as its water pipelines will be expanded over the years.

“The regional council also implemented rural development programmes. During the period under review, 80 community members, including the youth, benefited from the goat farming project, and 23 benefited from poultry farming projects. 

These projects are aimed to create self-employment,’’ she said. 

Other revelations in her  address were the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia’ progress in providing housing at Rupara village.

During the period under review, 22 additional houses were built, bringing the total number of houses to 97. 

In Mankumpi constituency, the federation will commence with the construction of 20 houses during the current financial year at Katjinakatji. 

“I am once again appealing to all constituency councillors to initiate quality, yet affordable housing projects at all our new settlements,’’ she appealed.

-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na