Africa-Press – Namibia.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform has begun installing a borehole in Thipanana village, Kavango East region.
This is after Member of Parliament Modestus Amutse last week Friday urged the government to move swiftly to install the delayed borehole.
Amutse’s demand came after Ottilia Mbathera (47) from Thipanana village was attacked and killed by a crocodile after fetching water at the Kavango river and then attempting to bathe.
On Saturday, the directorate of water supply and sanitation coordination dispatched a technical team from Rundu to carry out urgent groundwork for the installation at the village. The process includes digging foundation blocks, constructing three tank stands, installing three water tanks, and completing concrete works. The ministry in a press statement issued on 15 August, said it went into the water-quality testing stage, and the procurement of installation materials followed.
According to the ministry, at this stage, a two-day curing period is required before the system is fully installed and commissioned.
“The ministry has prioritised the Thipanana installation to ensure immediate access to a safe and reliable alternative water source,” it stated.
Meanwhile, in the region, in the last three months, at least four people died after crocodile attacks. The most recent being the demise of Mbathera.
Amutse, in the press release, stated that to prevent further loss of life and safeguard the well-being of vulnerable rural communities, the government must expedite and fully implement borehole installations in identified crocodile-prone areas.
“These attacks highlight the persistent threat faced by communities relying on river water for their daily needs,” he said.
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