2024/25 WATER BUDGET: State highlights priorities to guarantee water availability

DODOMA: THE government’s water availability targets of 85 per cent in rural areas and 95 per cent in urban is on top gear with the Ministry of Water identifying eight crucial priorities to enable the execution of major projects, boost production, connection and supply of water to various parts of the country.

Tabling the budget estimates for his docket yesterday, Minister for Water, Mr Jumaa Aweso told the National Assembly that the implementation of the priorities will also consider the strengthening of water management, development, conservation of water sources and proper provision of water services to customers.

Mr Aweso said the ministry is looking forward to drilling five wells in each constituency in 25 regions of Tanzania mainland. He said at least 58.8bn/- has been allocated for the purpose in the 2024/2025 budget.

According to Mr Aweso, a total of 900 wells are expected to be drilled in all the constituencies in Tanzania mainland.

He said the new strategy will ensure availability of water by 85 per cent in rural areas come to 2025. The minister asked Members of Parliament to approve 627.8bn/- for the 2024/2025 budget.

Last year, the august House approved 756bn/- for the ministry. Mr Aweso told MPs that the ministry has succeeded in implementing various development projects under his docket and that it was looking forward to continuing with the same spirit in the coming fiscal year.

He identified the eight priorities as the completion of all ongoing major projects and starting the implementation of new projects, harvesting rain water by constructing medium size and strategic dams in various parts of the country and to ensure that water is supplied in all villages that have not been reached with safe and clean water.

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Other priorities included the finalisation of the preparation of the National Water Master Plan and National Water Grid as well as review of the National water policy.

He added that the ministry also focuses on curbing water loss, increasing and ensuring connection of pre-paid water meters, increasing investment in clean water and environment as well as increasing and encouraging the participation of the private sector in investment and running of water schemes.

On the management of water resources, the minister said his office will continue to strengthen the system for water management including renovation of 100 water management centres, providing 600 permits and forming 18 communities of water users as well as nine water catchment centres.

He said the ministry will also focus on supervising and making regular inspections to water sources under various water basin boards.

On water conservation, the minister said the ministry is planning to identify new water sources, noting that studies were ongoing to identify more areas with abundant water in the country.

Moreover, Mr Aweso said the government through the ministry of water is continuing with the construction of strategic water dams in various parts of the country. He said the government is constructing the Kidunda dam in Morogoro Region and finalising preparations for the construction of Farkwa dam in Dodoma Region.

“We are also looking forward to start the construction of 22 dams and continue with the construction of small and midsized 26 dams as well as finishing on 45 dams,” he noted.

He added: “The ministry will also finalise the preparations for the National Water Master Plan and National Water Grid and continue with the drilling of deep wells in the country.

On water service management, Mr Aweso told the august House that in the 2024/2025, the ministry will continue to make an assessment on the quality of water in 2,200 water sources, 8245 water supply systems in rural and urban areas and 150 water systems.

He added that the ministry is also looking forward to installing a system for collecting and keeping information on the quality of water, reduction of fluoride in drinking water and to support the preparation of quality of water in 40 water authorities and 120community-based water supply organisation (CBWSOs).

“The ministry will also strengthen water laboratories to ensure quality and meet international standards,” he noted.

On water services and environmental preservation in rural areas, Aweso said the ministry will continue with the implementation of 1,905 water supply projects in rural areas across the country.

“The projects include those areas that surround big water sources such as Kidunda dam and those found along areas where the Samee-Mwanga water project pipeline crosses,” he said.

Moreover, the Ministry is also focusing on replacing diesel water pumps with electric water pumps in rural areas to ensure a reliable supply of water throughout the year.

“This will also minimise the cost of running water projects and thus guarantee water services to the public,” he noted.

On water services and environment in urban areas, the minister told MPs that in collaboration with development partners and other stakeholders, the Ministry is planning to implement 247 water projects in urban areas in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

He said the completion of the project will guarantee 95 per cent availability of water in urban areas by 2025.

He mentioned some of the projects as the construction of water infrastructure from Kiwira River to Mbeya city, water project from Ruvuma River to Mtwara, Water project from Momba River to Tunduma, collecting water from Bisarye water tank, which gets water from Rufiji River to Dar es Salaam and Lindi regions.

He added other projects such as to construct and renovate water projects through the project of 28 towns, Vwaa-Tunduma water project, the implementation of waste water projects in regional, districts and township headquarters, ensure management of water services, conduct feasibility studies for various new projects.