The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has handed over 20 boreholes, constructed at various locations in the country's north, to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The boreholes were constructed under the Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (NILALEG) project.

The project itself was funded by the global environmental facility within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The boreholes were drilled and installed in the Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kunene, and Zambezi Regions at a total cost of N$14 million.

The intervention is expected to provide access to potable water to close to 805 households and an estimated 34,289 livestock.

The ultimate aim, its facilitators say, is to reduce poverty through sustainable, nature-based livelihoods while protecting biodiversity, restoring forests, and reducing land degradation. 

Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Minister Carl Schlettwein says the project is vital because Namibia is faced with many environmental challenges that require integrated approaches to provide solutions.