A team of Chinese experts has arrived in Namibia for a two-week study on the possibility of drilling boreholes and developing groundwater sources across all 14 regions.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform announced this on Thursday.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the study comes as Namibia investigates how to strengthen its water supply.
Muyunda says the team will assess potential groundwater sources, water quality and the technical conditions needed to drill boreholes in identified areas. The experts will also meet with regional councils during the study.
Muyunda says the findings will help the government plan possible future water projects.
“The study will assess potential groundwater availability, water quality and the technical requirements and conditions for borehole drilling in identified areas,” says Muyunda.
He adds that the results could guide future cooperation between Namibia and China on groundwater development and water supply.
The two countries could consider agreements on groundwater development and water provision based on the outcome of the study.
The ministry says the initiative is part of efforts to find sustainable solutions to Namibia’s water challenges and strengthen technical cooperation with China.
The ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, received the delegation and says the study is important because Namibia is a water-stressed country.
“Finding and securing water resources is critical for Namibia, particularly during the current season. This exercise is, therefore, important as it will help us better understand where potential water resources are located and what is technically required to develop them,” Nghitila says.
