ONGWEDIVA: Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein said they continue to explore new water supply development options to ensure water security for the country.

Schlettwein made the remarks during the launch of the first Namibian Regional Water Symposium (NRWS) for the north central regions in Ongwediva on Wednesday, saying Namibia, as the driest sub-Saharan country, has to face very specific and daunting challenges, to ensure water supply security for all.

According to Schlettwein, this has been exacerbated by the effects of climate change, drought of severe intensity and out-of-season floods.

“Water, one of the principle enablers for life and development, has therefore become a country priority. Not only were the livelihoods threatened, but also the national economy was severely affected by the prevailing negative climatic circumstances,” he said.

He added that the increasing population and economic growth, variable climate and climate change impacts call for innovative approaches, sound principles and clear strategies to improve water use efficiency, reduce or prevent pollution, fostering integrated management.

Schlettwein stated that the government has made great strides in achieving the water supply target for both rural and urban populations.

He indicated that they are aware that more still needs to be done to ensure access to potable water for all.

As a higher-level commitment, Schlettwein stated that a Cabinet Committee on Water Supply Security was established to ensure water supply security in the country, and that different measures are being taken towards infrastructure development and optimisations.

In terms of sanitation, he stated that they are lagging behind when it comes to sanitation targets. However, efforts geared towards improved sanitation provision, notably the revision of the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy are currently being implemented.

In October 2022, Cabinet approved the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy 2022-2027.

Schlettwein stated the strategy has the goal of reaching 67 per cent of the Namibian population by 2027, with basic sustainable access to basic sanitation and increasing the practice of safe hygiene behaviours from the current level of 46 per cent.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency