This is outlined in a Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA) report for Ohangwena, which forms part of the Poverty Reduction Action Programme 2001 to 2005 that was adopted by Cabinet in 1998.

Other major concerns included poor leadership and governance, remoteness, lack of access to markets and other services, alcohol abuse and crime.

The report said the main factors preventing access to water were long distances to water points, cut-offs because of non-payment for water, broken hand pumps and dry wells.

Lack of access to potable water has implications for poverty reduction and improved household food security.

To address these problems, the report said, Government's primary responsibility to provide water to its citizens had to be balanced with sustainability of the service.

It added that poor households could be targeted for subsidies or a more cost-effective and sustainable way to supply water to rural areas could be explored.

A water conservation policy and practical interventions to harvest and store water needed to be strengthened and adequate budgetary provision had to be made for this, it said.

The report said the main concerns about education were long distances to school, limited study materials and the general quality of education.

It added that a lack of adequate housing and sanitation partly explained why the region had found it difficult to attract qualified teachers.

The report also suggested that Government should embark on affirmative action to attract teachers to remote areas in Ohangwena.

This could be done by providing housing, raising the pay grades of qualified teachers in remote areas or paying teachers in remote areas a hardship allowance.

- Nampa

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