The Berseba Constituency Office has completed the first phase of a N$2.5 million water and sanitation project aimed at eliminating open defecation. 

The project was funded by the Social Security Commission (SSC).

The water and sanitation project includes the construction of 120 pit latrines and eight solar pumps. 

Of the 60 pit latrines completed during the first phase of the project, 21 were handed over to the ||Uibes community this week. 

During the first phase, the construction of 35 pit latrines was completed at Tsawises Village and four more at Gellap West Village. 

"As SSC, we spent about N$2.5 million on the budget of Berseba Constituency. There are about seven to eight different villages we are sponsoring. In this particular village, we spent about 11–15 thousand per pit latrine, which, if I understand and then listen to the similar projects that are being done, charge more than N$60,000. I mean, this is exactly what we want to do. It is a very decent toilet, and with labour, transport, equipment, and everything else, we did not spend more than $15,000, and it is possible that we spent even less. But because of the distance and environment in which these people live, N$15,000 is reasonable," said Milka Mungunda, SCC CEO. 

The Berseba Constituency Councillor, Jeremia Goeieman, expressed gratitude to the Social Security Commission for the grant approval that allowed for the implementation of the water and sanitation project.