Namibia needs N$12b for water

NAMIBIA needs roughly N$12 billion to avert the challenges associated with poor water supply for both industrial and human consumption.

This amount can get the country out of its water woes and create sustainable water solutions, the executive director in the agriculture, water and forestry ministry, Percy Misika, said yesterday at the Open Africa Round-table Financing Water Projects’ event.

The roundtable was aimed at making public-private partnerships work for efficient urban water supply.

Speaking to delegates on how to mitigate water shortages, Misika said the country’s water utility, Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), can only raise N$2 billion internally, leaving the government with a N$10 billion funding gap.

“The water sector is underfunded in Namibia, and priority is being put to make sure that by 2022, Namibia will be in a position to provide water to its citizens, in line with the national development plans,” he noted.

He added that the country is ravaged by ripple effects of climate change, including the worst drought in years currently being experienced.

Namibia is also plunged in a severe water shortage that needs the government to seek investments from private sector players to avert the situation, Misika said, adding that the country is aiming to have a sustainable water distribution network for human and industrial needs by 2022.

Namibia is one of the driest countries in the sub-Saharan region.

“The dry conditions and low rainfall patterns put us in a precarious situation, and leaves us in a position which forces us to import the bulk of our food because we cannot produce our own as a result of water shortages,” Misika stated.

“Because of the ongoing dry season, we have experienced abnormal dry conditions and a severe drought that has hit our country. Other challenges faced by the government in terms of finding water and sanitation is the unavailability of resources,” he said.

Speaking at the same event Namwater chief executive officer Abraham Nehemia underscored the need for public-private partnerships in averting the looming water challenge. He said: “We are looking at various avenues including desalination as well as tapping into aquifers and partnerships to deal with the water problem.”

– charmaine@namibian.com.na; Twitter: Char_Ngatjiheue.