Maria David
THE Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has handed over 16 boreholes to the Uukwaluudhi Conservancy in the Omusati Region as part of a project to rehabilitate older infrastructure and is funded by the Green Climate Fund through the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia.
During the hand over Shifeta stated that the Uukwaluudhi Conservancy the rehabilitation of 16 boreholes at Onandjila, Ondeitotela, Onamukuku, Onyulu, Okagolo, Okapundja, Okambobona, Omakange, Omanyanganyanga, Uulugaluga, Omaonde, Eehongo, Okatyali, Oluhalu, Amutulo and Omutumba. project cost over N$4 million.
According to the minister, the fund was availed through the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM EDA) Project Grant Facility valued at N$130 million countrywide.
He noted that the rehabilitation of 16 boreholes involves de-installing, diesel generators and retrofitting with solar panels and solar powered pumps at all project sites and also installing nine 10 000 litre water tanks and stands, three drinking troughs for livestock, 12 water taps for human consumption, nine elephant protection walls and an elephant drinking dam.
“This climate change project by Uukwaluudhi Conservancy will with no doubt contribute towards reaching the goal by the attainment of sustainable development in line with Namibia’s Vision 2030 through strengthening of national capacities to reduce climate change risk and build resilience for any climate change induced shocks globally,” said Shifeta.
Shifeta stated that the project is expected to provide year round access to reliable and safe water supply despite climate induced shocks and stresses to more than 35 000 people, 900 direct and 34 100 indirect beneficiaries and 258 households of which 26 are female-headed and 17 are marginalised.
The project will further benefits 8 000 cattle’s and 150 elephants.
At the same occasion, Shifeta has urged the Conservancy to jealously monitor the project moving forward and ensure that it’s monitoring is embedded in the Water Point Committees management.
Speaking at the same occasion Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia Benedict Libanda, said the EIF has so far invested N$670 million in different climate change project across the country, whereby a total of 200 000 people are supported.
