Windhoek —

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has denied reports suggesting it lacks the capacity to fix two solar-powered desalination plants set up to supply potable water to Amarika and Akutsima in the Omusati Region.

The two solar-powered desalination plants in question were donated by the German government in 2013 at a cost of about N$200 million. Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Abraham Nehemia this week said government had enough competent people with the skills needed to repair the plants. His response came after the Namibian Sun reported last week that Nehemia had confirmed that government failed to repair the plants.

He subsequently said training was conducted to reinforce the skills needed to repair the plants. According to him, government is looking to assign permanent personnel to operate the plants on a full-time basis. “The desalination plants were donated in November 2013, which was four years ago. The government did not fail. This is a misinterpretation of what was said.

(LINK)