Plans are underway to drill two boreholes at the Tsumkwe settlement as the influx of people continues to put pressure on the authorities to provide basic services such as water and sanitation.

This was revealed by regional councillor Johannes Haufiku, who stated that the boreholes would provide much-needed relief to the more than 5,000 people who live there.

At the moment, the water is sparingly shared from six boreholes, whose water pressure also serves the two government schools with a population of 1200 learners and 42 teachers.

Currently, the water is a crisis in Tsumkwe because you only get water during the night. But during the day, when everybody is using water, there is no water. So we engaged Namwater as well as the Rural Water Supply Directorate. They promised to come and install two more boreholes in Tsumkwe. So right now, all the paperwork is done. We are just waiting for the procurement to come through. At the school, there is a truck that moves up and down for NamWater, but it is not enough."

Haufiku says the new boreholes are electricity-powered, while plans are also underway to help rehabilitate the old boreholes to function fully.

"They also spoke to Cenored, for them to install electricity because these boreholes are using electricity, so we are just waiting for them to come and install those two boreholes. I just want to urge those who are working with procurement to speed up things because even a day is enough for a person to die if he doesn't have water."

In August this year, the regional leadership brought the water shortage to the attention of the Works and Transport Minister, John Mutorwa, after the pump stations at the settlement and school were dysfunctional and led to blocked sewerage.

The sewerage connection lines have not been maintained for over nine years. 

Mutorwa promised to look into the matter.