By Chrispin Inambao WINDHOEK The multi-lateral trans-boundary project, intended to enhance the supply of potable water to hundreds of thousands of rural and urban communities in northern Namibia and southern Angola, would also develop sound tariff regimes for Angola. Angola (which just recently emerged from a ruinous civil war involving the then UNITA rebel movement – which has since transformed into a formidable opposition party – and the ruling MPLA) appears to be losing substantial revenue from water sources such as the Santa Clara-Ondjiva Pipeline as hundreds of villagers freely tap water from the open 154 km NamWater-run canal, built in the pre-colonial era from Calueque in Angola to Oshakati in Namibia. According to Dr Kuiiri Tjipangandjara, NamWater’s General Manager for Engineering and Scientific Services, who co-chairs the committee implementing this project, it was felt to ensure sustainable water utility in Kunene Province in southern Angola the project would develop sound tariff, billing and collection regimes. The N$174 million project, partly funded with a grant of N$118 million from the KfW, a German development agency, and Angola with N$56 million, includes the construction of basic sanitation facilities such as latrines and septic tanks at settlements and public places at Ondjiva, Namakunde and Santa Clara. On its part Namibia, that intends to upgrade water pumps along Omakango/Omafo and from the Oshakati/Oshikango Pipeline, would contribute N$10.4 million. Another aspect of the project is to rehabilitate water extraction from the Kunene River at Calueque while providing bulk water supply to Calueque village. Target groups will have access to reliable, affordable and sustainable water supply to meet their basic needs, while Namibia and Angola will practise bi-national planning. Its main components are to upgrade the Calueque Dam Pump Station, in particular the refurbishment of its electrical and mechanical equipment, and the construction of a bulk water supply connection to allow for future distribution of safe water to villagers at Calueque. On the Namibian side, it will entail the cleaning, refurbishment and the formalisation of hundreds of irrigation off-takes belonging to Angolans living along the open Calueque- Oshakati Canal who are diverting water within an informal structure. Last Thursday and Friday, NamWater Corporate Affairs Manager Johannes Shigwedha took a group of journalists on a visit to the war-damaged Calueque Bridge in Angola and the utility’s water pump station. The media tour included a visit along the open canal and to other water infrastructure and treatment points in the Omusati and Oshana regions.