Cattle dying, people thirsty as Ogongo-Oshakati canal shuts down for maintenance

MANY people in the four northern regions are living without water because of maintenance work being done on the canal between Ogongo and Oshakati.

Cattle owners in the Uuvudhiya, Okatyali and Uukwiyu constituencies of the Oshana Region are struggling to get water for their cattle and even for people to drink, wash and to cook their food. NamWater said last month that the canal taking water from Ogongo to the Oshakati Water Treatment Plant would be out of operation until October 17.All customers on its water pipeline network in Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana and the eastern part of Omusati are affected, as potable water is only supplied for nine hours a day.Many places have experienced serious water shortages.The Councillor for Uuvudhiya Constituency, Amutenya gwaNdaafa, complained to The Namibian that some cattle in his constituency have already died and he expects more to die.The Councillor of Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region, who is also the Governor of the region, Penda Ndakolo, said water shortages have also been experienced at hotels and restaurants at Oshakati, Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshikango.”Everywhere people are complaining against NamWater for having taken this action at the wrong time,” he said.”NamWater could have taken this action in May and June, while we still had water in the oshanas for cattle to drink, and not wait till now that the oshanas are dry.”The Senior Education Planner for Oshikoto Region, Gotty Nghipandulwa, said most senior secondary schools are suffering.He singled out the Ekulo Senior Secondary School, which has had no water for days.But they managed to solve the problem temporarily over the weekend.NamWater said last month that the canal taking water from Ogongo to the Oshakati Water Treatment Plant would be out of operation until October 17.All customers on its water pipeline network in Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana and the eastern part of Omusati are affected, as potable water is only supplied for nine hours a day.Many places have experienced serious water shortages.The Councillor for Uuvudhiya Constituency, Amutenya gwaNdaafa, complained to The Namibian that some cattle in his constituency have already died and he expects more to die.The Councillor of Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region, who is also the Governor of the region, Penda Ndakolo, said water shortages have also been experienced at hotels and restaurants at Oshakati, Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshikango.”Everywhere people are complaining against NamWater for having taken this action at the wrong time,” he said.”NamWater could have taken this action in May and June, while we still had water in the oshanas for cattle to drink, and not wait till now that the oshanas are dry.”The Senior Education Planner for Oshikoto Region, Gotty Nghipandulwa, said most senior secondary schools are suffering.He singled out the Ekulo Senior Secondary School, which has had no water for days.But they managed to solve the problem temporarily over the weekend.