N$471m earmarked for critical water infrastructure

From the N$956 million allocated to the water and marine resources budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, N$471 million will be directed towards the construction of 46 short km of pipelines, the rehabilitation of 18 short km of pipelines, the cleaning of 22 boreholes, the connecting of 2 585 private off-takes, the drilling of 44 boreholes, and the installation of 68 boreholes nationwide.


These projects will fall under the water supply and sanitation coordination programme, which secured a further N$990 050 from the African Development Bank. This was revealed during this year’s budget motivation, delivered by the agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani. These funds will be used for the construction of 46 short km of pipelines in the following regions: Oshana (1 km), Oshikoto (3 km), Omusati (8 km), Ohangwena (5 km), //Kharas (1 km), Kunene (2 km), Erongo (2 km), Otjozondjupa (3 km), Zambezi (8 km), Kavango West (1 km), and Kavango East (12 km). The rehabilitation of 18 short km of pipelines will cover Oshana (2 km), Oshikoto (3 km), Ohangwena (1 km), ||Karas (2 km), Erongo (2 km), Otjozondjupa (1 km), and Zambezi (7 km). In addition, 32 water points will be rehabilitated in Oshikoto (2), Hardap (5), Omaheke (2), ||Karas (3), Kunene (2), Erongo (2), Otjozondjupa (2), Zambezi (6), Kavango West (3), and Kavango East (5).


Exact plans outlined - The budget will also fund the cleaning of 22 boreholes in Khomas (3), Omaheke (2), Kunene (3), Otjozondjupa (4), Kavango West (1), and Kavango East (1). A total of 2 585 private off-takes (POTs) will be connected across Oshikoto (400), Ohangwena (1 000), Omusati (385), and Oshana (800). Furthermore, 44 boreholes will be drilled in Khomas (6), Oshikoto (2), Ohangwena (4), Hardap (10), Omaheke (2), Kunene (5), Erongo (3), Otjozondjupa (3), Zambezi (9), Kavango West (1), and Kavango East (3), while 68 boreholes will be installed in Khomas (6), Oshikoto (2), Omusati (3), Hardap (10), Omaheke (1), //Kharas (3), Kunene (17), Erongo (8), Otjozondjupa (9), Zambezi (5), Kavango West (1), and Kavango East (3). Construction and installation of nine small-scale desalination plants will take place in Oshikoto (1), Omusati (1), Ohangwena (1), Kunene (1), Otjozondjupa (1), Zambezi (1), Kavango West (1), and Kavango East (2). Additionally, 19 traditional wells will be modernised in Khomas (1), Oshana (2), Omusati (2), Ohangwena (2), Kunene (8), Erongo (3), and Otjozondjupa (1). The government has also committed to upgrading water infrastructure for 45 farming units nationwide. This includes drilling 24 new boreholes, rehabilitating 35 water points, cleaning six boreholes equipped with pumping systems, and installing 10 boreholes.


To support agricultural production, the ministry plans to construct 33 water harvesting structures (earth dams) in Oshikoto (2), Ohangwena (2), Omusati (2), Oshana (2), Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (2), Kunene (2), Zambezi (3), Kavango West (3), Kavango East, //Kharas (3), Hardap (3), Omaheke (3), and Khomas (1). Moreover, five existing earth dams will be rehabilitated in Erongo (1), Otjozondjupa (1), ||Karas (1), and Omaheke (2).


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