HON CALLE SCHLETWEIN, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, WATER AND LAND REFORM
HON JAMES UNOMASA UERIKA, GOVERNOR: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION
MEMBERS OF THE KAMBAZEMBI TRADITIONAL ROYAL HOUSE
HON FRANSINA GAUZ, COUNCILLOR TSUMKWE CONSTITUENCY
MS. AGATHA MWETI, CHIEF REGIONAL OFFICER
MR. OSCAR MULONDA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR: RURAL WATER SUPPLY DIRECTORATE (NORTH-WEST REGION)
MR. MAHARERO, OMBUU SITE COORDINATOR
MY FELLOW RFA EXECUTIVES
INVITED GUEST
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
GOOD MORNING,
It gives me great pleasure to be here in Ombuu for this special occasion, marking the handover the solar water pump.
The installation of the solar water pump forms part of the N$ 12 million that RFA and RA jointly committed to last year in response to the President’s call for contribution towards the drought that had afflicted the country last year.
Thus the Road Fund Administration (RFA) took up its civic duty to respond to this clarion call for contributions towards the National Drought Emergency as was declared by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Namibia on 6 May 2019.
From the joint contributions by the two institutions, RFA availed N$ 7 million for the installation of solar water pumps at boreholes. We are pleased to announce that 41 boreholes in 13 regions of the country benefited from this donation, with the Ombuu being amongst the boreholes that have been rehabilitated.
The decision to procure and install solar water pumps would increase the longevity of the pumps, allowing the communities to enjoy access to potable water long after the drought. The RFA contracted Namibia Engineering Corporation for the turnkey installation of the boreholes. The boreholes were identified with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
I am pleased to announce that 5 solar pumps are installed within this region and that one of the pumps is not far from here, additional 4 solar pumps are installed in Kunene Region, which we will also inaugurate later this week.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Road Fund Administration enables national growth through funding roads, as roads generally connects towns and communities and enable easy movement of goods and people. But today at this occasion, we are similarly honouring the connection that water brings to communities, and the value that water adds to our wellbeing, without water we will not be able to be here today. As one of the many African proverbs has it that:
“When you return to an old watering well there will be more than just water; as friends and dreams will also be there to meet you.”
The ability to extract water once again from this borehole is a very good mile stone that we should all cherish. These water pumps should go a long way in bringing progress to the benefiting families through providing water for cooking, household chores and for the animals.
With these few words, I thank you.
