NamWater reopens N$3,9m Etaka canal in Omusati

The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has started the rehabilitation of the 130 kilometre Etaka-Uuvudhiya earth canal.

The canal will supply water to communities, farmers and livestock in the Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions.

According to a recent statement issued by NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata, the project will cost about N$3,9 million.

The project is funded by the Office of the Prime Minister as part of the government’s ongoing drought relief interventions.

The canal draws water from the Olushandja Dam, which serves as a reservoir for water drawn from the Calueque Dam on the Kunene River.

At the reopening of the canal that provides water to rural communities in the Uukolonkadhi, Uukwaluudhi, Ongandjera, Uukwambi and Ondonga tribal areas on Tuesday, NamWater chief executive Abraham Nehemia said the project is testament to what can be achieved when people work together.

“The government, through NamWater, has shown its commitment to supporting rural communities. The rehabilitation of this canal is just one example of the many initiatives underway to ensure that all Namibians have access to the resources they need to thrive,” he said.

The canal, originally constructed around 1974, will replenish the natural pans at Uuvudhiya, providing water for thousands of livestock. It will also support small-scale farmers, enabling them to grow food for their families.

Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala strongly appealed to the region’s residents to stop vandalising the canal.

He urged traditional authorities to educate communities about the benefits of having the canal and urged the police to take action against individuals found damaging or diverting water from the canal, as such actions negatively impact on the entire community.

Agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein recently said in the past financial year alone, water infrastructure worth N$120 million was vandalised, damaged or stolen, severely undermining the socio-economic development efforts of the government.

Nehemia highlighted that NamWater had installed new pipes at Cuvelai to increase the water flow to the Olushandja Dam, which is currently 45% full, to ensure the canal operates at optimal capacity.

The dam not only feeds the Etaka canal, but also supplies several towns, including Outapi, Oshikuku and Oshakati.

Malakia Shoombe, a representative of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority, urged the people of the Omusati region and beyond to use water sparingly and to contribute to food security by growing their own food.

He appealed to NamWater to consider operating the canal at full capacity throughout the year to maximise benefits accrued from it.

Approximately 60 kilometres of the Etaka-Uuvudhiya canal has been rehabilitated and NamWater estimates the entire project will be complete by mid-October 2024.