Zanzibar terminates Rand Water contract

ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar government has terminated its contract with South African water utility Rand Water following an assessment of the company’s performance in improving water services in the Isles.

All water service operations have now been handed back to the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA).

Deputy Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals Seif Kombo Pandu announced the decision while responding to questions from members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, which is currently in session.

“Following an extensive investigation conducted by committees that were established for this purpose, the government reached the decision to terminate the contract with the company,” Mr Pandu said.

The decision follows concerns raised earlier this year by some members of the House over Rand Water’s performance in water production since it began operating in Zanzibar.

The government signed an Operations, Management and Improvement Contract with Rand Water Zanzibar on November 19, 2024, under an outsourcing arrangement for the management of ZAWA.

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Under the agreement, Rand Water was tasked with managing ZAWA’s operations, with the aim of improving efficiency and strengthening the supply of safe and clean water to residents.

Meanwhile, Mr Pandu said yesterday that his ministry signed an agreement with Jenkins Asia for construction of a water project covering seven water schemes in Pemba, including the Ziwani scheme.

He said implementation of the project was expected to begin soon. Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly address water challenges in Ziwani and surrounding areas, including Kwale and Niape villages and Ndagoni Shehia.