Maria David
THE Oshikoto Regional Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, has secured 10 Water Tanker Trucks to provide emergency water supply to affected communities in the region.
This was revealed by Regional spokesperson Petrus Nehale, who said that communities critically facing water shortages and not registered under the water tanker services program will be registered at their respective Constituency Offices to equally receive water supply.
Nehale indicated that they are fully aware of the challenges related to access to potable water in the region, particularly in the far rural constituencies, namely Okankolo, Eengodi, and Nehale Lya Mpingana. He said, “We are diligently working within the parameters of our mandate and the limited resources at our disposal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, to address the issue of potable water shortage in the region and to prevent future incidents of losing precious lives due to water scarcity.”
Furthermore, Nehale mentioned that the Council has both short-term and long-term plans aimed at aiding the efforts to improve access to potable water in the region. As a result, the Council has allocated 60% of its income from 5% rates and taxes from Local Authorities in the region, surcharges from the sales of electricity by REDs (NORED and CENORED), and VAT refunds to this cause, among other community development projects.
Additionally, he noted that the Council has allocated N$634,615 during the current financial year for rural development programs, which will be utilized in the construction of short water pipelines.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has also outlined short, medium, and long-term solutions to address water supply issues in the Oshikoto Region. Nehale mentioned that the Council will continue to engage with the Ministry to ensure that these plans and solutions are implemented effectively.
He urged community members to remain patient while they work with relevant stakeholders to address the issue of potable water supply in the region.
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