Dr Samia graces Kizimkazi Festival with inauguration of a water project

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged residents of Kizimkazi and surrounding areas to protect development projects implemented at significant cost, warning that their sustainability depends on collective responsibility.

The Head of State made the call during the ongoing Kizimkazi Festival where she inaugurated the Kizimkazi Water Project and asked residents to work closely with the government to safeguard the infrastructure and ensure it continues benefiting communities for years to come.

Additionally, President Samia stated that the water projects, a health centre and a vocational training centre constructed in Kizimkazi were critical infrastructure intended to improve access to essential services and create opportunities for residents.

“We should protect the infrastructure so that it serves us today and tomorrow. We know where we have come from. We had serious water challenges, but today we have a solution. Let us protect this infrastructure and be our own guardians,” she said.

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She said substantial financial resources and technical expertise had been invested in the projects, urging residents not to destroy or misuse the infrastructure.

“We have invested a lot of money and expertise here. Now that the infrastructure has been provided, let us protect it and ensure it is not destroyed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Water Jumaa Aweso said the government was committed to ensuring all villages across the country gain access to clean and safe water infrastructure.

Mr Aweso said Tanzania has 12,333 villages, of which 10,758 had already been connected to water services through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), leaving 1,575 villages still requiring the service.

Moreover, she assured President Samia that available funds would be used to complete ongoing water projects, as the government targets completion of water infrastructure in all remaining villages during its five-year term.

The minister also described the Kizimkazi Water Project as a demonstration of strong cooperation between the Union Ministry of Water and Zanzibar’s Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals.

The project is expected to provide clean and safe water to more than 6,800 residents of Makunduchi Constituency in South Unguja Region.