The Ondonga Traditional Authority spokesperson, Enkali Frans is urging the public to dig traditional wells and earth dams to alleviate water scarcity during the dry season.

Frans said in an interview with Nampa on Thursday they do not receive funds from the government to construct boreholes so they can only urge the community to dig traditional wells.

‘We do not receive any budget from the government so that we can construct boreholes for our people, we only receive a little from people when they register their houses,’ said Frans.

He said last year, people from the Nehale LyaMpingana, Eengodi and Okankolo constituencies suffered terrible water challenges, so they should be proactive to avoid a repeat of the situation in future.

‘Our people should come together and use traditional forms of survival by digging wells and earth dams that can take them through the hard times,’ Frans said.

Oshikoto regional councillor for the Eengodi Constituency, Protasius Neshuku, said they are facing challenges with water
scarcity in all villages in the constituency again this year.

‘We did not receive good rain this year, so all 69 villages in the area are in need of water,’ Neshuku said.

He added that they however cannot dig wells and earth dams because there is no water in the ground.

Neshuku also said the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform is taking too long to drill boreholes, which exacerbates water shortages.

Contacted for comment, the ministry’s head of rural water supply, Stevenson Tuukondjele said people should be patient as the government is trying its best to install their boreholes.

‘We have learned that this year will be tough, but our people should really appreciate the efforts of the government in drilling boreholes in their areas,’ said Tuukondjele.

He added that 40 boreholes have already been drilled in the Oshikoto Region and contractors are busy with their installation.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency