Omuthiya, Oshikoto Region: In the Oshikoto Region, residents from Eengodi, Nehale Lyampingana, and Okankolo constituencies demonstrated on Wednesday at the Governor’s office in Omuthiya. The protest was in response to the ongoing water shortage in the area. Josef Josef, representing the residents, addressed the severity of the situation in a petition to Governor Penda Ya Ndakolo. According to Josef, the residents have been awaiting the promised upgrade of water pipelines since 2017. The scarcity of water has reached a critical point, with the depletion of local water sources, forcing residents to travel at night in search of water. The petitioners demand immediate government intervention to resolve the crisis.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the residents are seeking a comprehensive solution, including the construction of sustainable water reservoirs and the installation of proper water pipeline systems. They also requested urgent repairs to non-functional boreholes and the addition of water desalination systems to make the water suitable for consumption. Furthermore, the petition highlighted the need for rehabilitation of the gravel road from Onyati to Onkumbula and improvements to driveways to facilitate water tanker access. The governor’s office, represented by Chief Regional Officer Christella Mwenyo, received the petition and has been given 10 days to respond.