Water relief welcomed

SWAPO MP Leevi Katoma has welcomed Government’s recent order that NamWater should open all communal water taps that were shut because of non-payment of accounts.

Katoma, the regional councillor of Tsandi constituency in the Omusati Region, said water is a basic need that people cannot live without. “Hence, Government should not leave the whole burden of water bill payment to the rural communities, most of whom are unemployed,” he said.He said water cost recovery was introduced for rural communities to take full responsibility for water payment but in fact it placed a heavy burden on them.”Therefore, Government’s intervention has to be there otherwise we will end up put water infrastructure on the ground but they are not going to provide any services to the intended people because they can’t afford it,” said Katoma.He made these remarks in the National Council on Monday during debate on the Environmental Management Bill.Last week, Agriculture Minister Nickey Iyambo issued a statement in which he said drought had worsened the difficulties faced by certain communities and their livestock was suffering.As a short-term measure, he instructed NamWater to immediately reconnect water supply to rural communities and regional councils.”Hence, Government should not leave the whole burden of water bill payment to the rural communities, most of whom are unemployed,” he said.He said water cost recovery was introduced for rural communities to take full responsibility for water payment but in fact it placed a heavy burden on them.”Therefore, Government’s intervention has to be there otherwise we will end up put water infrastructure on the ground but they are not going to provide any services to the intended people because they can’t afford it,” said Katoma.He made these remarks in the National Council on Monday during debate on the Environmental Management Bill.Last week, Agriculture Minister Nickey Iyambo issued a statement in which he said drought had worsened the difficulties faced by certain communities and their livestock was suffering.As a short-term measure, he instructed NamWater to immediately reconnect water supply to rural communities and regional councils.