Maria David
COMMUNITIES in traditional areas generally dig separate wells to supply water to their and other roaming livestock during times of scarcity and drought. Nearby modern waterpoints- and installations are mainly for household purposes and human consumption.
The explanation comes from representatives from a Ovituambu-community and Ministry of Agriculture Spokesman in reaction on a social media video insinuating that the community are forced to digging wells because government fails to supply drinking water.
The well on the video is a few hundred metres from a fully equipped borehole, with solar power and water tanks. Regardless the operational borehole in the community of Ovituambu on the Kunene Region, they prefer to drink separately from their cattle for who the traditional well is meant.
The video shows people seen fetching water in a deep well for livestock.
It is alleged that the community members, took several hours to water the various herds coming and going.
Agriculture spokesperson Jona Musheko, said that the video is malicious and meant to create a perception that there is no accessible safe and potable water in that specific community and furthermore insult the community who use their own methods not to drink with their cattle.
“We can confirm that 600m from the traditional well, where the clip is recorded, there is a fully functional installed borehole powered by solar panels,” he said.
He noted that MAWLR in collaboration with GIZ and unemployed young Namibian professionals, finalized assessments in Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango West and Kavango East Regions with a view of modernizing these types of traditional wells in order to improve safety as it often collapses.
Musheko indicated that the modernization is necessitated by safety and ensure reliability of water supply.
“Apart from transforming these traditional boreholes with the help of the unemployed youth into safe and reliable water sources, MAWLR continues to create awareness into communities on why it is important to transit from traditional wells to developed boreholes,” he added.
Further, Musheko noted that the ministry as of early 2022, will continue to rehabilitate identified traditional wells in the regions.
