Vandalism of water installations a major challenge

Theft and vandalism of water installations is one of the major challenges the agriculture, water and land reform ministry faces. According to spokesperson Teopolina Tuyeni, as a result, the impact of the ministry’s rural water development programme for severely under-serviced communities has been completely diminished in some cases. “Boreholes, solar panels, pumps and switchboards of 20 installations have been destroyed of late and obviously the affected communities are again without a secure supply of water.”She said when such criminal activities hurt the most vulnerable, the evil of such an activity is most painful. According to her, four ministerial officials have thus far been charged for their involvement in some of the cases, and no tolerance will be shown. Highlighting some of the ministry’s achievements in 2021/2022, Tuyeni said 20 short pipelines with maximum length of 20 kilometres were constructed in several regions across the country.A total of 141 boreholes were also drilled, 2 877 private off-takes connected to pipeline water supply, 53 boreholes/water points installed, 3 575 existing water-supply infrastructures repaired and maintained and 91 water-point associations established. Furthermore, 625 communities were supported with emergency water tanker services, while 114 existing water-point infrastructures were rehabilitated and 57 boreholes were cleaned and tested. Extending schemeAccording to Tuyeni, the Ondangwa-Omuntele water supply pipeline scheme in the Oshikoto Region was recently completed. “The ministry, with funding from Disaster Risk Management, is currently extending the scheme, due to the complexity of water-supply needs in rural areas.” She added that the contractor is currently connecting additional manifolds and water meters on the pipeline to provide water to newly identified beneficiaries.The Onamatanga water supply pipeline in the Omusati Region also needs to be finalised, she said. Furthermore, the water-supply directorate intends to install existing boreholes and construct a pipeline network to provide water to the communities in the Onamatanga area, she said.An engineering consultant has been appointed and is currently developing the preliminary designs, the spokesperson noted.CollaborationTuyeni said the ministry has also embarked on the Ozondati-Omatjete water supply pipeline, in collaboration with the Erongo regional council.Under the Programme for Communal Land Development, a 23-kilometre pipeline and a 43-kilometre pipeline is being constructed in Otjozondjupa and Omaheke respectively.“The ministry has also embarked on the Ohamaremba-Okangwati water supply pipeline in collaboration with the Kunene regional council.”Additionally, under its technical support programme for other government offices, ministries, and agencies, the ministry has received a list of over 160 schools that require water - specifically in Kavango East, Zambezi, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango West and Kunene. The ministry has started to address this request, she said.Tuyeni added that three water softening systems (mini desalination plants) have been constructed and commissioned in Erongo at Vrede, Goeie Geluk and Satamab Post 1, with assistance from the Environmental Investment Fund.

Vandalism of water installations a major challenge

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Republikein 2025-04-14

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Vandalism of water installations a major challenge

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