Schlettwein visits Angolan water projects

RUNDU – Water affairs minister Calle Schlettwein, is in Angola to visit water projects commissioned in the Cunene Province in 2019.

The ministry in a media statement on Wednesday said Schlettwein is in Angola on a oneday visit and is being accompanied by executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, director of water supply and sanitation coordination Elijah Ngurare and NamWater CEO Abraham

Nehemia.

As part of the joint transboundarywatermanagement between the two countries, the minister was invited to visit projects aimed at alleviating water supply challenges experienced in the Cunene Province as a result of the prolonged drought.

“In addition to the familiarisation visit to the project sites, Schlettwein will sign an agreement on the Interim Joint Operational Rules for the Calueque Scheme at Calueque village,” the statement said.

Once signed, the interim joint operational rules will provide a framework for the establishment of the joint operation of the Calueque scheme as provided for in the water use agreement signed by the two countries.

The agreement will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries through the Permanent Joint Technical

Committee tasked with transboundary cooperation on the Cunene River Basin.

Angola and Namibia have been collaborating on projects such as the rehabilitation of the Calueque Dam and pipeline to Mahenene, the installation of a permanent pump station at the Calueque Dam, as well as the rehabilitation of the canal from Mahenene to Olushandja Dam.