NamWater brings relief to farmers
• Water utility steps in amid recurrent drought
Households will be able to utilise the water for their daily needs, especially gardening, Nehemia said.
The poor rainy season experienced in the Oshana and Omusati regions has prompted the national water utility to start pumping water from the Olushandja Dam to bring relief to farmers.
NamWater on Saturday started pumping water from the dam, through the Etaka canal to Lake Oponona.
According to CEO Abraham Nehemia, the pumping period is estimated to last until December, depending on rainfall patterns.
In the past, this was an unusual practice, but due to the recurrent drought, it has become a necessity that NamWater - with financial assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) - pumps water into the canal.
Nehemia said the governors of Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto visited the dam and Omusati governor Erginus Endjala wrote to NamWater requesting that they pump water into the canal because the region did not receive good rainfall and, as a result, livestock and irrigation will suffer.
“Households are also expected to utilise the water for their daily needs, especially gardening for nutritional purposes,” he said.
Not for drinking
On Saturday, water began pumping from Olushandja South wall outlet into the Etaka-Uuvudhiya earth canal, which stretches about 130 kilometres.
The raw water is fit only for livestock consumption and agriculture purposes. A total of N$3 million has been set aside by the OPM to ensure the successful completion of the exercise.
Nehemia added that they are confident that the water will supply the canal until the next rainy season.
He further urged traditional leaders to engage the community living along the canal to refrain from vandalising it.
“Let us take our livestock to the canal to drink and draw water with containers from the canal for other [irrigation] purposes. Breaking the canal for water to run into oshanas, into omadhiya in our fenced-off areas is denying the people and livestock the water they need so dearly.
“Please, let us work together to ensure there will be consistent water supply in the canal throughout the dry months ahead.”
Game-changer
Nehemia added that NamWater is looking into the rehabilitation of most of its infrastructure in order to ensure sustainable water supply up to 2037.
More work will be expected around the Olushandja Dam, while the possibility of convincing government to fund a permanent system for the Etaka canal cannot be ruled out.
Nehemia also cautioned against man-made bridges over the canal, saying children and elderly should take extra caution when crossing to prevent loss of life.
Endjala said for the past five years, the north of the country has not received sufficient rainfall, which has affected many people living alongside the west of the canal, including the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.
NamWater’s initiative is a game-changer for people living along the canal, as their livestock will have water throughout the dry season, he said.
He further echoed Nehemia’s sentiments and urged members of the community to guard the canal against vandalism.
NamWater on Saturday started pumping water from the dam, through the Etaka canal to Lake Oponona.
According to CEO Abraham Nehemia, the pumping period is estimated to last until December, depending on rainfall patterns.
In the past, this was an unusual practice, but due to the recurrent drought, it has become a necessity that NamWater - with financial assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) - pumps water into the canal.
Nehemia said the governors of Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto visited the dam and Omusati governor Erginus Endjala wrote to NamWater requesting that they pump water into the canal because the region did not receive good rainfall and, as a result, livestock and irrigation will suffer.
“Households are also expected to utilise the water for their daily needs, especially gardening for nutritional purposes,” he said.
Not for drinking
On Saturday, water began pumping from Olushandja South wall outlet into the Etaka-Uuvudhiya earth canal, which stretches about 130 kilometres.
The raw water is fit only for livestock consumption and agriculture purposes. A total of N$3 million has been set aside by the OPM to ensure the successful completion of the exercise.
Nehemia added that they are confident that the water will supply the canal until the next rainy season.
He further urged traditional leaders to engage the community living along the canal to refrain from vandalising it.
“Let us take our livestock to the canal to drink and draw water with containers from the canal for other [irrigation] purposes. Breaking the canal for water to run into oshanas, into omadhiya in our fenced-off areas is denying the people and livestock the water they need so dearly.
“Please, let us work together to ensure there will be consistent water supply in the canal throughout the dry months ahead.”
Game-changer
Nehemia added that NamWater is looking into the rehabilitation of most of its infrastructure in order to ensure sustainable water supply up to 2037.
More work will be expected around the Olushandja Dam, while the possibility of convincing government to fund a permanent system for the Etaka canal cannot be ruled out.
Nehemia also cautioned against man-made bridges over the canal, saying children and elderly should take extra caution when crossing to prevent loss of life.
Endjala said for the past five years, the north of the country has not received sufficient rainfall, which has affected many people living alongside the west of the canal, including the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.
NamWater’s initiative is a game-changer for people living along the canal, as their livestock will have water throughout the dry season, he said.
He further echoed Nehemia’s sentiments and urged members of the community to guard the canal against vandalism.
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