Omuthiya Councillor Erastus Nekomba has commended the residents in the Oshikoto Region for successfully digging out a community well.

The efforts follow a period of three weeks without access to clean tap water.

Speaking during a meeting with the community, Nekomba pledged to upgrade the well to prevent damage.

He said the initiative helps meet the government halfway due to the ongoing water scarcity in the constituency.

“The government is aware of the water scarcity, and efforts are made. There are plans and alternatives underway to make water accessible for residents.”

The councillor visited a homestead in the village to assess low water pressure experienced by residents.

“This is how it is running, and this is just next to the main pipeline. You can now imagine: if the water close to the pipeline is running like this, what about five kilometers  further away? So, it is really a crisis that we are facing. We are happy that they have come up with a well from which they can draw water in the meantime.”

A resident, Loide Richard, expressed her frustrations.

“We are yearning for water; we are thirsty. This problem started in 2000, when more households were connected to the pipeline. I first installed a water tap at my homestead in 1985, and many residents used to fetch water from my residence. We are calling on the government to establish earth dams, which could also help the residents.”

A pensioner, Martin Tobias, who has lived in the village since 1986, told NBC News that livestock have been greatly affected by the water shortage, which has affected more than 50 households in the village.

“If one does not have a large container to store drinking water, it can be another challenge. We sometimes ask for water from those who have some, but they do not have enough either. The water from the well is bitter and saline.”