The Governor of Otjozondjupa Region, James Uerikua, together with NamWater, visited boreholes, aquifers, and reservoirs to reticulate water from storage sources, expand and upgrade the existing water network, and bring water closer to dry areas in the region. 

The main economic activity in Otjozondjupa is in the agricultural sector.

The eastern part, with virgin land for grazing, is in dire need of water.

"We have an issue of a shortage of land; the demand is very high but the supply is low, so this is an alternative programme for us instead of waiting for the resettlement programme to roll out because the number of farms we get is so limited but the demand is very high."

At Berg Aukas, the aquifer has three submersible pumps, each delivering 220 cubic metres of water per hour under extremely ideal conditions. 

NamWater Senioe Engineer, Christo Barhard, says, "The water is pumped from here along a 500 ml pipeline to the eastern national water carrier canal, and that canal flows down to Omatako Dam, and from the dam they have six willow pumps that transfer that water over to Von Bach Dam.

The team is also discussing redirecting water to the virgin land and where the branching of the pipes might be necessary to accommodate those located along the area.

There are 15 boreholes in the Coblenz area drilled in the 1990s by the Rural Water Supply, but only three are operational.

NamWater's Ricardo Billawer says the need has been raised and they should actually utilise them since they have a lot of water that they can use in other areas. They are planning to source money from the development bank or wherever and start implementing the project as soon as possible.

Kambazembi Traditional Authority Senior Councillor designated for the Otjituuo Constituency says the water situation in his area is challenging.

"The water situation is a difficult one here, where there's underground water, there is no grass, and where there is no underground water, the soil is good for grass, and this is why we are trying to get water up there for some of our people to go and live there, that's why we have the governor's delegation here," says Kambazembi Senior Councillor, Alex Tjihoruku.

The delegation also visited the Eland span reservoir, which gets water from the Otjituuo booster.

The project is targeting 2000 to 2500 hectare farms and about 300 small-scale farmers after completion.

NamWater and the Governor will visit one of the biggest reservoirs in Branch Line Seven, which hasn't been in use since 1974, for possible revamping.

Okakarara is the final destination where there is a need to upgrade water pumps.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform and the farmers' associations are also represented on the water expansion programme.

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NBC Digital News

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Eveline Paulus