NamWater ordered to open taps

GOVERNMENT yesterday instructed the country’s water utility, NamWater, to open all the taps in communal areas which were closed because of non-payment of accounts.

Agriculture Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo issued a statement in which he said that drought had worsened the difficulties faced by certain communities, and their livestock were suffering. As a short-term measure, Iyambo instructed NamWater to “immediately reconnect taps wherever they were closed in communities and regional councils”.”This must be implemented without delay,” said Iyambo.”They must be operated under the current arrangements.The water points that are open and functioning should continue to do so,” Iyambo said in the statement.His statement comes as a huge relief to many communal farmers who are struggling to overcome the drought.However, it was not clear who would settle the outstanding debts of the communal farmers to NamWater.Reports from the northern and north-western areas of the country indicate that farmers have started losing livestock because of the lack of water and grazing.Iyambo said he had to take urgent measures to address the problem with a two-pronged approach.He said, as a long-term solution, the Ministries of Agriculture and of Local Government must appoint consultants to review water tariffs charged by NamWater, Rural Water Supply and local authorities.The consultants will target the water points that were closed.As a short-term measure, Iyambo instructed NamWater to “immediately reconnect taps wherever they were closed in communities and regional councils”.”This must be implemented without delay,” said Iyambo. “They must be operated under the current arrangements.The water points that are open and functioning should continue to do so,” Iyambo said in the statement.His statement comes as a huge relief to many communal farmers who are struggling to overcome the drought.However, it was not clear who would settle the outstanding debts of the communal farmers to NamWater.Reports from the northern and north-western areas of the country indicate that farmers have started losing livestock because of the lack of water and grazing.Iyambo said he had to take urgent measures to address the problem with a two-pronged approach.He said, as a long-term solution, the Ministries of Agriculture and of Local Government must appoint consultants to review water tariffs charged by NamWater, Rural Water Supply and local authorities.The consultants will target the water points that were closed.