Residents of Omatjete in the Dâures constituency say a long-standing water crisis that constrained both households and farming activities has been largely resolved following the commissioning of the N$29 million Ozondati-Omatjete pipeline last year.
Community leaders are now calling for continued investment to assist neighbouring settlements that continue to struggle with water supply.
The first 23km phase of the pipeline was completed before the final 8km stretch into Omatjete was finalised, connecting the settlement to a reliable water source for the first time in years.
Fabianus Uaseuapuani, a senior Zeraeua Traditional Authority councillor, says the project has transformed daily life in the area after years of unreliable access to water.
“It will help to better the living conditions of our people,” he says, noting that the improved supply also benefits livestock owners who previously struggled to secure water for their animals.
It has also mitigated livestock losses linked to recent drought conditions and created opportunities for household gardens and small-scale agricultural projects in line with national food security objectives.
Uaseuapuani says discussions are already underway to further expand capacity, including plans for a larger reservoir to accommodate anticipated growth in the settlement.
Despite the gains at Omatjete, access to water remains uneven across the wider Dâures constituency.
In neighbouring Okombahe, residents say improved rainfall over the past two years has eased pressure on the settlement’s single water source. However, supply remains inconsistent for households situated on higher ground, with interruptions linked to power outages affecting the pumping system.
Community members says Okombahe’s water infrastructure relies on a single pump station, leaving residents vulnerable whenever electricity supply is disrupted. This has also affected backyard gardening projects introduced in the settlement in recent years.
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses, who took office in July 2025, identified water security as an urgent regional priority during her inaugural state of the region address last year.
She committed budget allocations for water infrastructure projects across the region, including the Ozondati-Omatjete pipeline and discussions on a desalination project for the coast.
/Goagoses was expected to deliver her second state of the region address at Swakopmund yesterday, with residents across the constituency expressing hope that continued investment in water infrastructure would feature prominently in her address.
Uaseuapuani says community unity remains central to translating government investment into tangible results on the ground.
“Development is not only about what the government does. Communities must organise themselves, identify opportunities and participate in creating solutions,” he says.
– Nampa
