Staff Reporter
THE Namibian Government is accelerating efforts to move the Neckartal Dam project into Phase Two, which aims to unlock the irrigation component of the development.
This was recently highlighted by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, who said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is pushing for greater urgency in advancing the project. He made the remarks in Lüderitz last Friday, noting that although the dam is full, the irrigation phase has yet to commence.
According to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), the Neckartal Dam recorded a water capacity of 857.781 million cubic metres (Mm³) on Monday, 27 April 2026, representing 100% capacity. By Tuesday, 5 May 2026, the level had slightly declined to 856.690 million cubic metres, or 99.9% capacity. Despite the minor drop, it remains the largest reservoir in the country by volume.
“I want you to contextualise what it means when Neckartal Dam is full because, even this year it is full. What it means from the Hydrological point of view – it means that all the dams in Namibia can fit in Neckartal Dam. That’s how big Neckartal Dam is,” Ngurare said.
He recalled that former President Hifikepunye Pohamba had championed the construction of the dam despite criticism and scepticism from some, who argued that it would never fill up.
“It was constructed but with a degree of pessimism whether it will get full. Do you remember it? People were saying ‘no, no, this is a waste of resources. it cannot be filled,’ but President Pohamba went forth and took the leadership to make sure that that dam is constructed. There are two phases of that dam. The first one is the infrastructure itself. The second one is irrigation,” Ngurare added.
The Prime Minister further revealed that Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani has been directed to commence Phase Two.
“Today it is full, and it is precisely for that reason that we asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform recently, when the budget was being discussed, that we have talked too long. We have met for too long. We make this promise that promise, and therefore we have directed that Phase two must begin on a PPP, and the letter has arrived and the minister has spoken,” Ngurare added.
Recent photo of Neckartal Dam. Photo: contributed.
