The Namibian Water Corporation (NAMWATER) has defended its award of a N$93,5 million tender to reconstruct a 5,8 kilometre stretch of the Omahenene-Olushandja canal in the Oshana and Omusati regions, respectively. Spokesperson Johaness Shigwedha says Radial Trust Industries, Imperative Construction and Brumar Construction will use concrete-lined material, re-inforced with steel on the project to prevent vandalism. He says this approach has proven durable on the Angolan side of the canal. Shigwedha stresses that a new gravity bypass canal constructed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water will further push up costs. He says filling it up and rehabilitating the area are all costly exercises. The NAMWATER spokesperson has asked members of the public to only offer views after studying the designs and visiting the site. Reconstruction of the 150-kilometre canal will run into billions of dollars if the process used on the Omahenene-to-Olushandja canal. The announcement of the cost of the project at a recent groundbreaking ceremony drew criticism for being too costly from members of the public. Many turned to social media platforms to criticise NAMWATER for undertaking the costly reconstruction.