The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, says Namibia continues to make strides in the provision of clean drinking water, both in urban and rural areas.

These efforts are, however, impeded by damage to infrastructure.

Schlettwein was speaking at the launch of the first-ever regional water symposium in Namibia in the north-central regions at Ongwediva.

The water symposium brought together industry experts to deliberate on the best ways to supply and preserve water.

The minister is, however, dismayed by the constant damage to water infrastructure across the country, which he says remains a setback in the acceleration of access to clean drinking water.

Schlettwein says the government spends millions of dollars on water infrastructure, an investment that often goes down the drain and needs collective action.

"It is so important that we all stand together in our efforts to enhance and utilise water sustainably to ensure that it is there for those that come after us. It will be unfair, selfish, and greedy if we use up that resource. And that is our task—to be sustainable and to deal with many complex problems."

The Uukwambi Traditional Authority, led by Elenga Ndilimani Iipumbu, in a speech read on his behalf, called on the participants to find ways to harvest rainwater, especially during floods.

"We are therefore appealing to the government of the Republic of Namibia in the excavation of earth dams to help us preserve enough water, especially during the rainy season."

The two-day symposium is being held under the theme "Water and sanitation for all to achieve sustainability and security".