Staff Reporter
THE Governor of the Erongo Region, Nathalia /Goagoses, has said regional leadership is actively working to address water supply instability affecting parts of the region, expressing optimism that a planned second desalination plant will help reduce pressure on existing water resources.
“It is imperative that efforts be intensified to ensure coverage in rural areas and to ease the burden on aquifers. This will be discussed at the recently launched Erongo Water Forum. Nothing shall be done on water issues without the Erongo Water Forum,” she said.
/Goagoses made the remarks during the 2026 State of the Region Address in Swakopmund, where she reflected on the region’s achievements, challenges and opportunities. The address followed her recent press conference, at which she received strong public backing for her leadership of the Erongo Region.
The Governor acknowledged that certain parts of the region continue to experience serious water supply challenges, pointing to Otjimbingwe as an area affected by unreliable provision. However, she assured residents that regional authorities are working to resolve the issue.
“The chairperson, who is also the constituency councillor for Karibib, is hard at work with all stakeholders to address this unreliable water supply in Otjimbingwe and surrounding communities. The water pipeline infrastructure that transports water to Otjimbingwe is, without doubt, of poor quality—no scientific evidence is needed. It is ageing very quickly and is also often prone to vandalism, leading to disruptions that pose a serious risk to the community and their livestock,” /Goagoses explained.
Despite these challenges, she said progress is being made in addressing the region’s water needs. She highlighted that the Erongo Desalination Plant, which marked 15 years of potable water production last year and has produced around 18 million cubic metres of water, will soon no longer be the only facility of its kind in the region.
In this regard, she announced that construction of the Erongo Sunam Desalination Project—a joint venture between Swakop Uranium and the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater)—is set to begin this year.
“The project, reportedly valued at approximately N$3 billion, will develop a second desalination plant in the region and is expected to create about 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, which is scheduled to commence in 2026,” /Goagoses continued.
She expressed confidence that the project would help ease water pressure in the region, particularly in Otjimbingwe and surrounding communities. To ensure this, she said, regional leadership will discuss the matter at the Erongo Water Forum.
“We want this water, extracted from the ocean, to reach our rural areas. When these desalination plants are up and running, I do not want to hear, Honourable Chairperson, complaints from Otjimbingwe about being without water. We shall therefore have to discuss how this second plant and the existing plant can join forces with regional leadership so that we all have access to this water, which is a fundamental right,” /Goagoses added.
2026 ERONGO SORA: Scenes from the 2026 Erongo State of the Region Address. Photo: MICT Erongo Regional Office.
