Khomas region stakeholders made suggestions and asked questions about the implementation of the Water Resource Management Act at a consultation event hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform at Hotel Mercure in Windhoek on Tuesday.
The act entered into force in December 2023, replacing an outdated water management law from 1956.
Maria Amakali, director of water resource management at the ministry, welcomed participants on behalf of executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, who was unable to attend at short notice.
“You will hear what is in the act, what is it providing, what is in it for you, and how it is applicable to you,” Amakali said, addressing the attendees.
Ministry personnel explained the different sections of the act before inviting stakeholders to comment and ask questions.
Under the new law, only domestic water users need not apply for groundwater licences, unless they are within a water protection area. All other users must always apply for licences. The old law had also exempted livestock users.
A representative of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy urged the ministry to differentiate between commercial water licences for own use, and commercial licences to provide water for third parties.
Other suggestions made by participants include the publishing of transitory plans for the measures to be implemented, as well as the establishment of a digital portal where licence applicants can see the progress of their application.
The ministry’s deputy director of water basin management, Ndina Nashipili, announced that the ministry is working on a new integrated water resource management plan and is hoping to finalise it by the end of next year. The plan currently in use is from 2010.
The event was sponsored by Namibia Breweries Limited.
Consultation sessions for the other 13 regions are to follow early next year.
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