Maria David
WATER scarcity still remains a challenge in the Oshikoto Region, where inhabitants of Eengodi constituency are now camping at water wells for more than two days in hope of getting water.
According to inhabitants, there is no clean water available and the wells at Evale village are the only source of water for the people.
Currently, people have to travel about 25km to the nearest water wells, which serve villages such as Epama, Oshikondiilwa, and Oshaataha.
“Water for animals is not a problem because the borehole water is salty and not fit for human consumption,” said one of the residents.
Eengodi Regional Councillor, Protasius Neshuku, indicated that it is true that people don’t sleep at their houses; they sleep at the wells in hope of fetching a little drop.
He added that some are now also fighting each other at the wells for water. One such incident was reported to his office.
Meanwhile, he added that they also recorded one fatality where a man drowned in a water well at Eendungu Dhakambwela water well.
Neshuku indicated that they engaged with officials from rural water supply who promised to avail trucks of water to ease the situation.
In a public notice issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR), it said that the Ministry sincerely regrets the inconvenience being experienced by communities in the north-central regions.
Regarding water supply challenges in Oshikoto Region, the Ministry wishes to assure the residents that the government at the highest level will leave no stone unturned to ensure that water supply is restored. The notice commits that in the future, they will communicate in advance so that every user is informed of any interruption to the water supply in their respective communities.
Furthermore, the Ministry has assured the public that it is continuing to mobilize water tanker trucks to provide emergency water supply to the affected communities countrywide, especially in Oshikoto’s Okankolo, Eengodi, and Nehale Lya Mpingano Constituencies.
Moreover, the notice indicates that the Ministry has immediate medium and long-term solutions to water supply and sanitation services throughout Namibia. Their fervent commitment is to make water available to all.
