Media Release

HANDOVER CEREMONY OF THE WATER SOFTENING FACILITIES IN SPITZKOPPE FUNDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT FUND OF NAMIBIA

Farm Vrede, Daures Constituency, Erongo Region, 2nd Septrember 2022- The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) in conjuction with the Erongo Regional Governor Nevile Andre Itope and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform hosted the handover ceremony of the Reverse Osmosis Units installed at the three community waterpoints, namely Farm Vrede, Goiegeluk Pos and Santamab Pos. These technologically advanced facilities will contribute massively to improving community livelihoods of the communities at these 3 communal farms.

The environmental Investment Fund of Namibia’s role is a national entity responsible for mobilizing funds and investing them into community projects like this one should remain prominent to address the dire needs of our communities in rural areas. It is mandated with implementing community projects to improve the lives of our people in communal areas. The EIF funded the pilot project to the tune of One million Namibia Dollars (N$ 1,000,000.00) from its own resources to finance these facilities aimed at softening the water at the three community waterpoints and make it suitable for human consumption and irrigation purposes.

In his Welcoming Remarks, Headman Benjamin Naruseb who spoke on behalf of Hon. Benitha Imbamba (Chairperson: Erongo Regional Council), said “ I would like to comment the EIF, for their concerted efforts and dedication in mobilizing the necessary resources towards achieving national and most importantly regional priorities and objectives, and for arranging this event. This is a reflection of the reality that communities living within Namibia’s rural communal areas are at the center of government planning. We highly appreciate your efforts and accept the funding immensely”.

In delivering a statement on behalf of the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia was Mr. Karl Aribeb, Chief Operations Officer who spoke on behalf of Mr Benedict Libanda- Chief Executive Officer noted that “The simple and straight-froward aim is to relieve the communities of these 3 communal farms from the plight of this hard water. This small initiative contributes to a broader goal for achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all”.

Aribeb further highlighted that Namibia is a water-scarce country and ranks amongst the 30 driest countries in the world. It is against this background that I would like to urge all stakeholders and implementing partners of this project to ensure that the little water that we have is Conserved, Respected, Shared and Enjoyed by present and future generations in our country.

Expressing delight at the handover ceremony and delivering keynote address was Hon. Nevile Andre Itope, Governor of the Erongo Region who denoted “ To this end, I am confident that the new water softening systems (mini desalination plants) that we are handing over to the communities here today will ensure not only easy access to water but an efficient and a regular water supply system for the whole community”.

Neville further added that, “Today’s event signifies our response as government and development partners towards helping our communities adapt to the dire impacts of climate change. The three mini desalination plants are a result of concerted effort in addressing climate change at the local level. These facilities are expected to impact many beneficiaries, including small-scale farmers in the area. In the process, they will improve sanitation, hygiene and serve as a platform for rural economic emancipation to many households in the Daures Constituency. For the reasons outlined above, you will agree with me that these facilities will contribute to poverty eradication in the constituency through increasing the resilience of our vulnerable rural communities to the impacts of climate change.”

Delivering the vote of thanks was Mrs. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata,Executive Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform represented by Dr. Elijah Ngurare Director of Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Coordination, Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform, who stated that “I am very confident that the investment made by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) into these technologically advanced facilities will contribute massively to improving community livelihoods of the communities at these 3 communal farms”. He concluded by advising the community to take care of the the facilities that have been handover and to ensure that the facilities are used for the right purpose and jealously guard the investment made.

For more information contact:

Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF)

Lot Ndamanomhata Tel: +264 811601846/+264614317706

Email: LNdamanomhata@eif.org.na

About EIF

The Environmental Investment Fund is Namibia’s own response to the growing global need for green financing. Established in terms of the Environmental Investment Fund Act, Act 13 of 2001 with a mandate to raise funding for investments into projects and programmes that promote sustainable development it is currently one of the fastest growing green and climate financing institutions in Africa. As part of its vision to be “a recognized leader in the development and application of innovative financing mechanisms to support sustainable development and ensuring inclusive development for all the people of Namibia.

Amongst its recognizable impacts to date since inception, the Fund has disbursed grants valued at more than N$ 583 million, ensured that more than 240, 256 hectares of land are under conservation, 71 grants approved for different environmental projects, created more than 950 employment opportunities mostly rural based and include season ones and retrofitted 120 boreholes that benefitted more than 77 000 who now have access to portable drinking water and attracted N$ 820 million for concessional Green Credit Line with participating commercial bank from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the SUNREF project in Namibia. To-date attracted and mobilised more than N$1.7 billion mostly from multilateral and developmental funding institutions and partners.

For more information on the EIF visit: http://www.eif.org.na/