Many parts of the Oshikoto region, particularly the rural areas, are battling severe water challenges following water supply rationing and interruptions that have affected both inhabitants and animals.
According to some inhabitants who reached out to The Namibian, many of the far-flung rural areas have not seen a single drop of water running from their taps for close to three weeks.
Angula Amuthenu, a resident of Amilema village, said the main pipeline that supplies water to Onamishu and nearby villages has been experiencing reduced water flow supply, forcing villagers and animals to go days without water.
“For more than 33 years since independence and the government is still unable to supply the whole country with clean water. How are we supposed to survive without water for almost a whole month? We are thirsty and our animals are dying of thirst as well, we want water. This is truly unacceptable, because how are we supposed to survive without water? Are we not human enough like people living in other parts of the country? No, the government must sort its issues out and supply us with water as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Executive director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata confirmed the water shortages in the Oshikoto region.
“The ministry sincerely regrets the inconvenience being experienced by communities in north central regions of the Omusati, Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions, as well as the Dâures constituency in the Erongo region, Tondoro constituency in the Kavango West region and Otjombinde constituency in the Omaheke region.
“In respect of water supply challenges in the Oshikoto region, the ministry wishes to assure the residents that the government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that water supply is restored and herein commits that in future we will communicate in advance so that every user is informed of any interruption to water supply in their respective communities,” she said in a statement.
Nghituwamata said the ministry is continuing to mobilise water tanker trucks in order to provide emergency water supply to the affected communities countrywide, especially in Oshikoto’s Okankolo, Eengodi and Nehale Lya Mpingana constituencies.
“To date, five water tankers of different carrying capacities have been sourced from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Office of the Judiciary, complementing our own water tanker trucks for the Oshikoto region.
“We would like to thank the above stakeholders that have joined in assisting us to deliver water to our esteemed communities. The ministry has immediate, medium and long term solutions to water supply and sanitation services throughout Namibia. It remains our fervent commitment that water supply and sanitation be made available to all.
Once again, our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by these unfortunate water interruptions,” said Nghituwamata.
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