The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform last week embarked on two significant water projects to bolster the country’s water infrastructure and ensure a sustainable water supply.
One of the key projects is the expansion and upgrade of the Outapi Water Treatment Plant in the Omusati Region. This project will be executed through a collaboration between Namibia water utility, NamWater, China Jiangxi International, and Homefin Properties Joint Venture.
The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, in his keynote address, emphasized the significance of water security for Namibia’s development.
He highlighted that the Outapi plant while serving the region for many years, has reached its capacity limits due to population growth and urbanization.
The expansion project will significantly increase the plant’s capacity, enabling it to deliver up to 438 cubic meters of water per hour, he said.
“By addressing the water challenges in Outapi, this project will provide a reliable and continuous supply of clean water for the region’s residents, businesses, and agricultural sectors,” he said.
In addition, the Minister also embarked on another groundbreaking event of the construction and the replacement of a 52.4-kilometer pipeline between Ogongo and Oshakati.
At the event, Schlettwein said the pipeline project valued at N$236.7 million marks a significant milestone in the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring access to reliable, safe, and sustainable water for every citizen.
The project again will be undertaken by NamWater alongside partners.
“The Ogongo-Oshakati Pipeline, built in 1978, has long served as a lifeline for the four north-central regions of Namibia. However, age and the strain of increasing demand have rendered it vulnerable, with frequent pipe breaks,” he noted.
According to Schlettwein, this project aligns with Namibia’s broader objectives of enhancing water security, promoting public health, strengthening economic growth, and fostering resilience to climate change.
The minister meanwhile reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving universal access to water.
“The recently approved Namibia Water Sector Support Program 1, which includes this pipeline project, is an indication of our resolve to ensure that no community is left behind. We will continue to prioritize investments in water infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas, to ensure that water becomes a driver of equity, inclusion, and sustainable development,” he said.
The Namibia Water Sector Support Program 1, is funded through a €50 million loan agreement with KfW Development Bank, facilitated as a non-repayable grant to NamWater.