Sackeus Nangula from Omuntele constituency praised the Agriculture, Water, and Forestry Ministry for giving free prepaid water meters to 3,000 farmers and families. These meters, worth N$1,200 each, came at no cost to local residents. The ministry started this program back in 2017 when it built a large concrete water tank in the area. Just last month, it handed out another 100 water meters to more farmers.
"We have plenty of water here because the big tank sends it to every part of our area," Nangula explained. He mentioned that the salty dirt makes it impossible to dig regular earth dams, leaving the concrete tank as their main water source. The three-million-cubic-meter tank also helps take pressure off the water pipe coming from Ondangwa. This massive reservoir provides clean water to more than 110 villages across the entire region.
Stevenson Tuukondjele runs the rural water office for the Oshikoto region. He confirmed they give these free meters to farmers and homes near the water tank, just like they promised back in 2017. The ministry wants to ensure the water pipes last many years by managing usage through these meters. "We plan to make more of these meters available," Tuukondjele said about plans.
The water system has totally changed life for local farmers. Before the tank and meters, water access was much harder for many families. Now, they can track their usage, and the consistent water supply helps their crops and livestock. The ministry believes this approach works better than charging people upfront for equipment they need for basic survival. This successful program might become a model for other dry regions facing similar challenges.
"We have plenty of water here because the big tank sends it to every part of our area," Nangula explained. He mentioned that the salty dirt makes it impossible to dig regular earth dams, leaving the concrete tank as their main water source. The three-million-cubic-meter tank also helps take pressure off the water pipe coming from Ondangwa. This massive reservoir provides clean water to more than 110 villages across the entire region.
Stevenson Tuukondjele runs the rural water office for the Oshikoto region. He confirmed they give these free meters to farmers and homes near the water tank, just like they promised back in 2017. The ministry wants to ensure the water pipes last many years by managing usage through these meters. "We plan to make more of these meters available," Tuukondjele said about plans.
The water system has totally changed life for local farmers. Before the tank and meters, water access was much harder for many families. Now, they can track their usage, and the consistent water supply helps their crops and livestock. The ministry believes this approach works better than charging people upfront for equipment they need for basic survival. This successful program might become a model for other dry regions facing similar challenges.
