Residents of the Neu-Samorou resettlement farm in the Otavi Constituency, Otjozondjupa Region, are calling for urgent government intervention as they continue to struggle with long-standing water supply dating back to their resettlement in 2003.

According to residents, all households at the resettlement farm are affected by the ongoing water shortages, which have made daily life increasingly difficult and continue to hinder agricultural activities.

The community says water is routinely switched off at around 4:00 in the afternoon and only restored at round about 10:00 in the morning.

This leaves residents without access to water for several hours each day. 

Although they appreciate that each beneficiary at the resettlement farm was allocated four hectares of land for farming purposes, the water situation has negatively affected their farming activities.

They say the persistent water shortages have limited their ability to fully utilise the land for productive farming and improve their livelihoods.

Immanuel Mwanyangapo, a resident of Neu-Samarou Resettlement Farm, says, "And the way I'm seeing it is that the mine that is just there, which is nearby, if filled with water and closed, causes too much water, but I don't understand why the government is failing to get water from there and is struggling to get it to us. They can buy those plastic pipes, and we can dig trenches because we are really in need."

Another issue raised is that although the government provided them with two tractors, they struggle with getting fuel to utilise them.

"The fuel finished, and the work stands. Some people could not continue with farming. It's very difficult, as you can see. That's my field, and I worked with my hands to help my children," adds another resident, Sheya Timoteus.

Wilbard Gabriel continues the grumbles, "Some of the fields have not been ploughed for the past 5 years. The tractors only plough some and not all the fields. Even though there are two tractors, the challenge is the fuel."

Responding to the concerns, the Otavi Constituency Councillor George Garab said efforts are underway to improve conditions at Neu-Samorou. He indicated that plans are in progress to establish a water pipeline from the Kombat Mine to Neu-Samorou in an effort to address the challenge.

The Otjozondjupa Regional Council has already handed over the site to contractors, who are expected to commence work on the construction of 25 toilets for residents on 1 July.

Garab called on Neu-Samorou residents to remain patient, saying the Otjozondjupa Regional Council is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to address their concerns.