Swakopmund:Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, has emphasized the urgent need for investment in Namibia's water infrastructure, advocating for improved water management and drought preparedness measures.
According to NAMPA, Zaamwani highlighted that Namibia's water supply challenges require coordinated and sustainable solutions, noting that water supply remains the ministry's most critical issue, especially during the dry season when communities face failing boreholes, broken pipelines, and shortages. She made these comments during the opening of the third Namibia Regional Water Symposium in Swakopmund.
The minister stressed the importance of water and sanitation to development and called for strengthening water security through infrastructure investment, innovation, climate resilience, and responsible water stewardship. She noted that communities without reliable access should be prioritized. Last year, the ministry drilled 94 new boreholes, rehabilitated 51, and constructed 55 short pipelines.
Zaamwani also called for greater investment in desalination, water reuse, groundwater protection, and industrial recycling, particularly in regions like Erongo and Otjozondjupa, where industries place increasing demands on water resources. She warned of potential challenges from expected El Niño conditions, which could lead to reduced rainfall and increased pressure on water supplies.
The symposium aims to promote climate-resilient water management and improve water-use efficiency. The ministry's Executive Director, Theofelus Nghitila, emphasized the need for balancing economic development with protecting limited water resources and improving water governance under the Integrated Water Resources Management Act of 2013. Despite efforts to enhance water delivery, limited resources continue to affect the ministry's ability to promptly reach all communities. The symposium is expected to identify interventions supporting Namibia's Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goal on clean water and sanitation.