EIGHT years down the line the people of Bukalo in the Zambezi region continue to drink unsafe water as the government is looking for funds to complete the Katima Mulilo-Ngoma water-supply scheme.
The scheme is one of 25 sub-projects proposed under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (NWSSP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The NWSSP is aimed at increasing access to water, as well as enhancing quality, security and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services in Namibia.
According to the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) report of 2019, the programme is designed to enhance and ensure that water security for human consumption, agriculture and industrial development in Namibia is achieved.
Percy Misika, executive director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, says the construction of phases three and four of the water-supply scheme will be completed once a budget is available.
“The third and fourth phases still need to be constructed, which will complete the whole scheme. The norm in the government is to construct huge water-supply schemes in different phases over different financial years, depending on the availability of funds,” he says.
The feasibility study and design for two remaining phases as well as the environmental and social impact assessment have been completed.
According to the draft ESMF report of 2019, the continuous water supply is estimated to benefit more than 12 000 people in the villages of Bukalo, Ngoma, Kabbe, Lusesse, Ikumwe and surrounding settlements and villages.
Misika says phases one and two of the project have been completed as planned – despite a few technical challenges.
He says the project was not intended to reach Ngoma within the first and second phases, but to end at Bukalo.
It has been handed over to NamWater for operation and maintenance after commissioning, he says.
“The communities in those areas are presently happy, because they have potable water at all times,” Misika says.
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