The much-awaited second phase of the Neckartal Dam 19-thousand-hectare irrigation project is gaining momentum, with the project viability assessment currently underway.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has commenced water surveys to establish boreholes for a large-scale irrigation project on a 140-hectare brownfield site in Ekoka village, east of Okongo in the Ohangwena Region.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources says it will recommend the speedy implementation of phase II of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Project.

The project's Phase II includes the development of 5,000 hectares of land for crop irrigation.