The Oshikoto Regional Council is actively working to improve sanitation by constructing 100 new public toilets across the region.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to expand access to sanitation facilities in rural areas.

The 100 precast public toilets are currently under construction in 10 different constituencies and are expected to be completed by March next year. An additional 90 underground units have been supplied to Omatope village.

The project is being funded with N$1.4 million from the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Speaking to Nampa on Friday, Chief Regional Officer Christella Mwenyo said the council is committed to enhancing its residents’ quality of life, especially those in need.

“The overall purpose of good sanitation is to provide a healthy living environment for our rural inhabitants. These public toilets will positively impact them by promoting hygiene, reducing diseases, protecting water sources and improving the overall quality of life,” she said.

The toilets are being constructed in the Omuthiya, Oniipa, Onayena, Olukonda, Onyaanya, Omuntele, Okankolo, Eengodi, Guinas, and Nehale lya Mpingana constituencies.

“Tsumeb is excluded because its geographical area is mostly an urban area, which is under the jurisdiction of the Tsumeb Municipality. Rural development programmes can only cater for rural inhabitants as mandated by the National Rural Development Policy,” Mwenyo said.

Additionally, the remaining rural parts of the Tsumeb constituency have rocky terrain, which, due to the council’s limited budget, means toilet construction is not viable.

Last year, the Oshikoto Regional Council allocated N$4.1 million to rural sanitation, which led to the construction of more than 180 public toilets.