Water authorities put on notice over service delivery

DODOMA: DEPUTY Minister for Water Kundo Mathew on Wednesday directed water authorities across the country to closely monitor the implementation of water projects and ensure reliable delivery of clean and safe water services.

He issued the directive in the National Assembly while responding to concerns raised by various Members of Parliament over water supply challenges in their constituencies.

Mr Mathew said the government is working hard to ensure citizens in both rural and urban areas have access to clean and safe water. Some MPs raised concerns over water shortages in their constituencies and sought clarification from the ministry on measures being taken to address the challenges.

He said the government plan is to ensure all villages across the country get clean and safe water by 2030 and that starting the coming fiscal year, a total of 300 villages will be connected and supplied with water every year.

“The government plan is to cover all villages by 2030, our plan now is to make sure 300 villages are connected and supplied with clean and safe water every year, therefore in five years a total of 1500 villages will have be reached,” he said.

Earlier, in his basic question, Engineer Amosy Maganga (Sikonge-CCM) wanted to know when water from Lake Victoria will begin to be supplied to the wards of Pangale, Mpombwe, Igigwa, Kisanga, Tutuo, Mkolye, Chabutwa and Ipoje in Sikonge District.

He said the government has already constructed a tank and filled it with water but it has not yet started to supply water to the surrounding areas. In response, Mr Mathew said the government is continuing with the implementation of the 28 Towns Water Supply Project, which uses water from Lake Victoria and extends from Tabora to the districts of Sikonge, Urambo and Kaliua in Tabora Region at a cost of more than 143bn/-.

“The works being carried out under the project include the installation of 253 kilometres of pipelines and the construction of five water storage tanks with a combined capacity of 8 million litres. These include two tanks with a capacity of 3 million litres each, built in the Tumbili and Mission areas of Sikonge District,” he said.

He added that the project has reached an average implementation rate of 76.5 per cent and has already started providing water services to some areas of Sikonge Town while the construction is underway. Mr Mathew further said the project is expected to be completed in July 2026.

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“Thereafter, the government will undertake the design of water service extensions to areas located within 12 kilometres of the main pipeline, including the wards of Pangale, Mpombwe, Igigwa, Kisanga, Tutuo, Mkolye, Chabutwa and Ipoje,” he said.

In a supplementary question, Agnesta Kaiza (Segerea – CHAUMMA) wanted to know why there has been unscheduled water rationing in Segerea Constituency. She said Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) issues a rationing timetable for Segerea residents but there has been no proper implementation on the matter. Mr Mathew directed DAWASA Chief Executive Officer to work on the matter and make sure whenever they release the rationing timetable is implemented.

“The water rationing schedule must be adhered to. If there are challenges with the pumps, they should be repaired promptly so that residents can continue to receive water services. People need water. DAWASA should act quickly to resolve the problem and ensure that citizens see positive results,” he said.

In a supplementary question, Christina Mndeme (Special Seats-CCM) sought clarification on the completion of water projects in Uyui District and other parts of Tabora Region. In response, the deputy minister said the government is committed and determined to ensure every citizen is supplied with safe and clean water.

He said the 2002 Water Policy aims to ensure that all Tanzanians have access to water. “Regarding the provision of water to colleges and schools, we will engage with the relevant ministry stakeholders to determine the best way to address the challenge,” he said. He instructed water authorities nationwide to resolve water supply challenges and ensure that citizens have access to reliable and adequate water services.

The post Water authorities put on notice over service delivery first appeared on Daily News.

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