NamWater opens bids for Oshakati water plant

The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has opened bids for the construction of a water purification plant at Oshakati.

The bids were officially opened on Monday and will lapse on 21 August.

NamWater says the project will be funded by the African Development Bank.

It will cover the Ohangwena II Wellfield Project, which requires refurbishment due to ageing infrastructure.

The water utility noted that the plant needs to be upgraded to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply.

Speaking to The Namibian, NamWater chief executive officer Abraham Nehemia said they could not divulge the actual cost of the project as it will compromise the bidding process.

“We are trying to get the best bidder at a reasonable cost. Giving the cost will influence the bidders’ prices,” Nehemiah said.

Meanwhile, agriculture ministry spokesperson Jona Musheko said the purification plant at Oshakati will increase the capacity of water supply to the Oshana, Oshikoto and parts of Ohangwena.

The three regions are currently served by another water treatment plant at Oshakati, which treats water from the Calueque Dam in southern Angola.

“Eventually, we will also replace old pipelines connecting these regions in order to pump water at the desired pressure,” said Musheko.

Rundu will be included in the project to increase water supply to surrounding villages, he said.

“This does not include water boreholes that have been drilled in Kavango West and Kavango East by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

“Boreholes are designed to supply potable underground water in areas without pipelines. Providing water to the people and meeting their demands requires the use of all possible avenues,” he said.

Through the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (NWSSP) and the Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination (DWSSC), the ministry has also initiated a number of projects in various regions to meet water shortages.

“Early this year, we entered into an agreement with the Environmental Investment Fund to procure mini-desalination plants meant for areas with brackish or salty water. The procurement process is almost finalised. We are targeting the Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi and //Kharas regions,” said Musheko.

“On the other hand, we are busy with the refurbishment of the NamWater canal that feeds the Oshakati Purification Plant.

“We hear every cry on water scarcity and we are addressing the needs with the urgency they deserve,” Musheko said.

“Eventually, the ministry also plans on replacing old pipelines connecting these regions to enable them to pump water at the desired pressure, mostly to Oshikoto.”