President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her government's commitment to ensuring that every part of the Ohangwena Region has access to clean, safe, and reliable water.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the Ohangwena 2 Wellfield Water Supply Schemes Project at Eenhana, the Head of State emphasised that water is life, as it sustains people, nourishes animals and vegetation, and drives socioeconomic development.
The Head of State's first stop was at Ongha, where she switched on the upgraded Omakango Pump Station, marking a major step toward improving water supply in the area.
The upgrade comes after years of challenges with the old Omakango Pump Station, with its infrastructure unable to meet the growing demand for water.
The newly upgraded facility is capable of delivering more than 60 litres of water per second.
"We had an old reservoir; it was distributing to Engela, Omafo, Oshikango, Omungwelume, Eenhana and Onambutu. This reservoir was not sufficient to pump to all these stations; therefore, we have put up a big new one that is behind pumping water from the new reservoir to Onambutu."
Officially inaugurating the Ohangwena Wellfield Water Supply Schemes Project, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah said water supply is a key enabler in the 2024-2030 Swapo Party Election Manifesto and its implementation framework, which has now been integrated into NDP6.
"We all know that without access to clean and reliable water, our aspirations for progress and shared prosperity would remain unfulfilled. The power of water as a catalyst for development cannot be overstated."
The Omafo-Eenhana Extension Project, which was constructed at a cost of N$250 million, aims to address critical water supply challenges in the Omafo-Eenhana and Omakango-Onambutu-Eenhana schemes within the Central Northern Water Supply Area.
"The Ohangwena 2-wellfield supply scheme project is part of the Namibia water sector support programme and represents a comprehensive solution to the growing water needs of Eenhana town and its surrounding communities."
Ohangwena Governor Kandiva Hamutumwa said access to potable water in the region improved significantly, adding that 80% of residents in the Okongo constituency now have access to potable water. However, constituencies such as Epembe, Oshikunde, Eenhana and Omundaungilo still depend mostly on poor-quality underground water.
"We commend the government of Namibia for prioritising improved water for all; however, it remains a significant challenge for many residents who still have to travel long distances in order to access potable water."
The project is part of the national water management system that includes the Ohangwena aquifer, the new Oshakati purification plant, Rundu's new purification plant and many other related projects that are being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.