Aweso directs Dawasa to address water blues

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, has directed the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) to address technical challenges at the Ruvu Chini and Ruvu Juu water treatment plants to ensure continuous water supply to citizens.

Minister Aweso issued these directives on Thursday during his official tour to inspect the damage caused by floods and to assess the water facilities in the regions. He emphasized the need to resolve the technical challenges quickly so that the people of Dar es Salaam and the Coast regions can have access to clean and safe water.

The minister visited and inspected all the water production areas, including the Ruvu Chini and Ruvu Juu water sources, as well as the affected infrastructures in Mpiji.

Minister Aweso identified heavy rainfall as the cause of the water challenges in the Coast and Dar es Salaam regions, mentioning that infrastructures such as water pipelines were affected.

He urged citizens to protect and preserve water sources and infrastructures. He instructed the DAWASA Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Kiula Kingu, to ensure that the contractor works day and night to expedite the repairs. Regarding the response to flood-related challenges, Minister Aweso stated that the government has prioritized this issue and is strategically constructing reservoirs as an alternative means of water storage.

The construction of the Kidunda and Farukwa dams in Dodoma has already begun.

The Secretary-General of the ruling party CCM in the Dar es Salaam Region, Mr. Adam Ngalawa, who accompanied Minister Aweso on the tour, expressed satisfaction with the significant work being done by the ministry, stating that water services would improve due to the sufficient water supply from the sources.

“We are satisfied with the significant work being done by the ministry and DAWASA. This work demonstrates the government’s substantial investment, thanks to the funds approved by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. We have high expectations that water services will continue to improve because the water sources we visited have sufficient water supply,” said Mr. Ngalawa.

In a brief report on water production, Acting CEO Kingu mentioned heavy rainfall and severe flooding as the main challenges faced in January, damaging infrastructures.