Water softening facilities for Daures community
Farm Vrede, Goeiegeluk Pos and Santamab Pos in the Erongo region on Friday received Reverse Osmosis Units provided by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) in conjunction with the Erongo Regional Governor Neville Andre and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.These units will contribute to improving the livelihoods of the communities at these three communal farms.
The EIF is responsible for mobilizing funds and investing in community projects like this in a bid to address the needs of communities in rural areas. The EIF funded the pilot project to the tune of N$1 million from its resources to finance these facilities to make water suitable for human consumption and irrigation purposes.
Speaking at the event, Headman Benjamin Naruseb who spoke on behalf of the chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Benitha Imbamba, said: “I would like to commend the EIF for their concerted efforts and dedication in mobilizing the necessary resources towards achieving national and regional priorities and objectives. This is a reflection of the reality that communities living within Namibia’s rural communal areas are at the centre of government planning. We appreciate your efforts.”
Delivering a statement on behalf of the EIF was Chief Operations Officer Karl Aribeb, who said that the aim is to relieve the communities of these three communal farms from the plight of hard water. “This small initiative contributes to a broader goal for achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.”
Aribeb added that given that Namibia is a water-scarce country and ranks among the 30 driest in the world, “it is against this background that I would like to urge all stakeholders and implementing partners to ensure that the little water that we have is Conserved, Respected, Shared and Enjoyed by present and future generations in our country.”
Expressing delight at the handover was Governor Neville Andre who said that he is confident that the new water softening systems (mini desalination plants) will ensure not only easy access to water but an efficient and regular water supply system for the whole community.
“Today’s event signifies our response as government and development partners towards helping our communities adapt to the dire impacts of climate change. These facilities are expected to impact many beneficiaries, including small-scale farmers in the area. In the process, they will improve sanitation, and hygiene and serve as a platform for rural economic emancipation for many households in the Daures constituency.
“For the reasons outlined above, you will agree with me that these facilities will contribute to poverty eradication in the constituency through increasing the resilience of our vulnerable rural communities to the impacts of climate change.”