Namport Social Investment Fund has injected over N$2 million for the installation and rehabilitation of five boreholes in the Oshikoto Region.

The region's Governor Sacky Kathindi said water and sanitation remain among the region's critical challenges.

“While we acknowledge that the five boreholes will not address the challenges experienced across our region, we firmly believe that every intervention matters; the drilling borehole is closer to the community with less time spent searching for water and improving conditions.”

Namport Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kanime explained that the investment aims to improve livelihoods, support agriculture and livestock, strengthen sanitation and health outcomes, and create a foundation for community development.

Kanime noted that the funding was approved on the condition that an independent consultant verifies the scope of work and costs, as well as beneficiaries.

“Historically, the Oshikoto Region has been among the regions that have benefited comparatively less from the Fund's interventions. It is precisely for this reason that the Trustees have been intentional in directing greater attention towards identifying meaningful opportunities for investment in this region and other regions that are in the same situation. Let me emphasize that this should not be misconstrued as an isolated corrective measure, nor does our increased focus on Oshikoto come at the expense of other regions. Rather, it forms part of our broader commitment to equitable national impact.”

He said any cost overruns or additional funding requirements other than money injected will have to be covered by beneficiaries.

Another project funded under Namport's social fund is the construction of two classrooms and a storeroom at Omahiya Primary School.