WINDHOEK, Feb 5 (IPS) – The Namibian government, frequently accused of making water unaffordable to the poor, is finally taking steps to address this countrywide problem. It is considering the viability of including water subsidies for poorer families in a new development plan set to begin in April 2008.
Poor residents often cannot pay for water, either in form cards for pre-paid water meters or the monthly fee of just under four dollars to the national water utility, NamWater, for the right to fetch water during a four-hour window each day.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry has recommended in its third national five-year development plan (NDP3) that 4.3 million dollars be allocated to help people living in informal and rural areas pay NamWater.
