Kavango East gets sustainable water solutions

I am pleased and privileged to stand here today during this momentous occasion, which is the commissioning of the Kayengona and Shamvhura water supply river schemes. 

I’m sure I’m sharing my joy with the communities of the two villages and with the people of the Kavango East region at large. The communities of the two areas are coming from a background of tolerance characterised by the daily lack of water in sufficient quantities, or by water quality that is a risk to a healthy and productive livelihood, jeopardising critical economic activities.

As much as community members have had sleepless nights thinking about drawing water with a high iron level the following day, so have we, knowing that a project takes time to implement while people are suffering and calling for improved services. 

Today we are feeling more positive, relaxed and satisfied. 

This is all thanks to the implementation of NamWater’s broader strategy to enhance water security and infrastructure across Namibia. The two projects represent strategic investments, demonstrating NamWater’s unwavering commitment to providing sustainable water solutions to all corners of our nation.

NamWater, established by an Act of Parliament, has a clear mandate: to ensure ‘Water for All, Forever’. This mandate is not just a slogan; it is a mission that drives every decision we make. 

As a commercial entity with a public interest mandate, NamWater operates on the full cost recovery principle, supplying bulk water to its clients. 

Today’s commissioning of the Kayengona and Shamvhura water supply river schemes is part of our larger infrastructure development and upgrading efforts across Namibia. 

This broader vision includes projects like Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime water supply scheme, the Ohangwena II Wellfield water supply scheme, and the Rundu water treatment plant extension and associated works as well as the Katima raw water supply scheme. 

These projects highlight NamWater’s commitment to ensuring that every Namibian, regardless of location, has access to clean, safe, and reliable water.

The Kayengona and Shamvhura projects, with a total investment of N$5 208 850 are critical components of this larger strategy. The Kayengona filtration plant received N$2 483 432, and the Shamvhura filtration plant N$2 725 418. 

These investments are aimed at addressing urgent water supply and quality challenges in the region, where rapid population growth has contributed to an increased demand. The new filtration systems installed at both plants employ advanced technologies that ensure water quality far exceeds the minimum requirements, with turbidity levels as low as 0.19 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU).

But this is only the beginning. The recent groundbreaking of the Rundu water treatment plant extension and associated works, a project valued at N$665 million, is a testament to our long-term vision of building an integrated, sustainable water supply system nationwide. 

The Rundu project, along with the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime and Ohangwena II projects, are critical to ensuring that every Namibian has access to the water they need – not just today, but for generations to come.

At NamWater, we understand that water is the foundation of health, economic development, and social well-being. Our projects are more than just infrastructure – they are investments in the future of Namibia. By enhancing water supply infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for improved public health, increased agricultural productivity, and overall economic growth, particularly in rural regions like the Kavango East.

The commissioning of the Kayengona and Shamvhura water supply river schemes is a testament to what we can achieve through strategic planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our country’s future. It reinforces NamWater’s role as a key partner in national development, supporting the government’s efforts to deliver on its promise of sustainable development for all Namibians.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, the government, and the communities we serve for their continued trust and support. Together, we are ensuring ‘Water for All, Forever’. – NamWater chief executive Abraham Nehemia at the commissioning of the Kayengona and Shamvhura water filtration plants in the Kavango East region, 20 September 2024