Regional Instrumentation Training for Member States

In April 2021, OKACOM hosted an instrumentation training for members of the Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC ) and technical staff from the relevant ministries from the three member states of Angola, Botswana and Namibia. 

The week-long training which took place in Maun and Shakawe was funded jointly by the UNDP-GEF  Support to the SAP Implementation Project and EU Transboundary Water Management Programme.

Participants took part in both practical and theoretical training which aimed to enhance capacity to measure hydrological flows, sediment transport and water quality. Another objective was to enhance WTRC competencies in calibrating, maintaining and operation of various environmental monitoring instruments. Lastly, participants were introduced to the on-going development of the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS).

 “This training has been organised to ensure adequate uptake and utilisation of these instruments, for members of the Water Resources Technical Committee from Angola, Botswana and Namibia. It is important that they are able to use the instruments procured as there are gaps which have been observed in terms of information and data collection, particularly in sedimentation and groundwater resources” said Tracy Molefi, OKACOM Programmes Coordinator. The training is aimed at enhancing the capacity of technical staff from member states to measure hydrological flows, sediment transport and water quality. The equipment used for training includes hydrological flow measurement instruments such as the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, water quality meters (AP 5000 multiparameter meter, single parameter meters, ecological monitoring equipment and sediment measurement instruments such as the Sediment Corer, Niskin Bottles and Bedload Sampler. The training was conducted through lectures focusing on the basic concepts of selected environmental processes, environmental monitoring methods and techniques.  The series of theoretical lectures was followed by practicals with the equipment in Shakawe along the Kavango River. The WRTC advises on hydrology and water resources related issues of the CORB. Through hydrological monitoring and scientific research the WRTC offers the best applicable recommendations for sustainable management of the CORB. The Committee comprises of appointed technical experts representing the ministries responsible for water in each of the Member States.

 

Botswana TV news coverage of the training event