A PROJECT aimed at securing drinking water for Keetmanshoop residents will be officially launched today at the town, although work on it started in September.
French environmental engineering consultancy Altereo will spearhead the project, with funding from the French government.
The entire project will involve the use of diagnostic analysis and the preparation of the master plan for the distribution network in the Keetmanshoop municipality, and will cost N$12 million.
Altereo expressed hope that this project, which requires it to work with NamWater and the Keetmanshoop municipality simultaneously, is expected to address the old system of supply and distribution at Keetmanshoop, and ensure the sustained, optimal performance of the water supply grid.
“Capacity-building will be the major component of the project,” the company’s statement added.
The French firm said the project’s official launch consists of the arrival of the firm’s resident engineer, as well as the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Altereo and NamWater, and Altereo and the French government.
The initiative stems from a two-week-long mission its delegation conducted during early 2017 and 2018 to confirm the town’s water needs as identified by NamWater.
The missions were carried out following the first exchanges between stakeholders in the Namibian water sector and Altereo during president Hage Geingob’s official visit to France in November 2016, as well as a meeting the firm’s delegation had with former agriculture minister John Mutorwa.
Altereo further stated that a meeting with Keetmanshoop municipality CEO Desmond Basson also highlighted the difficulties encountered in the distribution of drinking water within the municipality, especially unexplained losses estimated at over 30%. “As a result of these discussions, the distribution network of the municipality was also added to the project scheme,” the statement read.
– luqman@namibian.com.na
