EENHANA – Ohangwena regional governor Sebastian Ndeitunga has called for expedited development of Aquifer II to address the region’s drinking water shortages.
Ndeitunga made these remarks during his State of the Region Address (Sora) at Eenhana on Wednesday, saying the aquifer, has the potential to provide water to people in and outside of the Ohangwena region.
“The progress in harnessing this water source has been painfully slow, with only seven boreholes currently tapping into the aquifer,” said the governor.
Ndeitunga highlighted that during the current financial year, 45 boreholes consisting of seven deep and 38 shallow ones were drilled and installed in the Omundaungilo, Epembe, Okongo, and Oshikunde constituencies at a cost of more than N$31 million.
He said one borehole was rehabilitated in Oshikunde constituency at a cost of N$90 000, while 16 short-distant pipelines were laid in the region during the period under review.
He also said 1 342 private off-take points were connected to individual households in Eenhana, Endola, Engela, Epembe, Ohangwena, Ondobe, Ongenga, Omulonga and Oshikango constituencies.
“Two mini desalination plants were constructed at Ohauwanga and Oshongwe in Omundaungilo constituencies and Epembe,” he said, adding that seven earth dams were constructed, six of which are in Endola, Ongenga, Engela, Ohangwena, Oshikango, Ondobe, and Omulonga constituencies at a cost of N$2.5 million.
Ndeitunga further indicated that plans are underway to install 35 boreholes in the Okongo, Epembe, Omundaungilo, and Oshikunde constituencies, of which 1 000 private off-takes are to be connected to all 12 constituencies.
The governor went on to say that NamWater is expanding its water supply through the Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Schemes. This includes the expansion of water supply through the Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Schemes involving the upgrading of the Omakango-Onambutu, Omafo-Eenhana water schemes worth N$250 million.
Others are the Omundaungilo (Omalapapa) – Omutsegonime pipeline project; and the Ohangwena Aquifer climate-resilient water supply.
-Nampa