The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masake, says that despite efforts to drill boreholes for communities in remote areas, saline water remains a persistent challenge.

The minister was responding to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP, Michael Mulunga, who claimed that little to no effort has been made to provide water for people in remote and rural areas since the country's independence.

Masake stated that the ministry is planning to construct a mini desalination plant to mitigate the issue of saline water, forming part of the broader programme designed to benefit all affected communities in various regions.

She says several boreholes in the northern regions have been identified for replacement due to depletion and saline water.

"The ministry remains committed to ensuring suitable access to safe drinking water for all Namibians and continues to pursue innovative and sustainable solutions for communities expecting difficult water issues. Honourable Speaker, several boreholes throughout the region, particularly in Ndiyona, Mukwe and Mashare constituencies, have been identified for replacement due to the issue related to salons and depleting into these drilled boreholes."