Staff Reporter
THE Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, which is expected to improve water supply and sanitation countrywide, will be completed by the end of 2025.
This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, who was responding to questions regarding the programme. He explained that the programme aims to provide a sustainable supply of water in the country to improve access to safe drinking water for human consumption and industrial use.
“At the household level and by the programme completion date of December 2025, it is expected that the interventions will have overall benefit of improved water security countrywide, water supply and sanitation to about 1 million direct beneficiaries and 250,000 indirect beneficiaries, majority of whom are women,” he said.
The minister explained that the programme is being implemented in the Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Khomas, Oshana, Omaheke and Omusati regions. He added that the programme will also focus on other areas that require urgent attention such as the Kunene and //Kharas regions, focusing particularly on areas that are vulnerable to droughts and floods.
According to Schlettwein, the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme also aims to build 75 sanitation facilities at schools, health centres and public places in the country. This, he revealed, was decided upon after the programme carried out an assessment of schools, health centres and public places.
“To this effect, a bid document is being finalised and contractors are expected in November 2023,” the minister added.
Besides this, he said, it is anticipated that by 2025, 500 community members, leaders and youths will be trained in constructing sustainable sanitation facilities.
The implementation of this programme comes after the ministry secured a loan of nearly N$1,9 billion from the African Development Bank for the programme.
File photo for illustrative purposes only.
