Milestone in water sector

KILIMANJARO: AFTER an 18-year journey from initial feasibility studies to completion, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched a transformative 406.07bn/- Same-Mwanga-Korogwe Water Project, a landmark achievement set to provide clean water access to 300,000 citizens.

Funded by concessional loans from both the Saudi Development Fund and the Kuwait Fund, the Same-Mwanga-Korogwe Water Project represents a substantial investment in the region’s future. “I do not believe in failure.

Although this project took a long time, I tasked the Minister for Water to do everything possible to complete it and today it is a success,” said President Samia during the launching ceremony in Kilimanjaro Region yesterday.

She detailed the project’s timeline, spanning from a 2006 feasibility study to its 2024 completion and credited strong government and partner cooperation for its success.

During the launch, President Samia also directed the Ministry of Water to expedite the nationwide rollout of prepaid water metres, aiming to improve service delivery, enhance revenue collection and ensure a stronger return on infrastructure investments.

She directed the Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, to ensure that all citizens are connected to water services and that they pay their bills using prepaid metres.

This system will help generate the necessary funds to repay the loans taken from the financiers.

“In all areas where the water infrastructure has been installed, we need to quickly connect citizens to water services. Since this project is funded by loans, it is important to ensure that as many citizens as possible are connected so that we can collect water charges and repay the loans,” President Samia said.

She also criticised the traditional payment system, which allows citizens to access water before paying. This system has led to inefficiencies, where some individuals use more water than they pay for, or vice versa.

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“The prepaid system ensures that citizens pay in advance for the water they consume. Once the prepaid amount is finished, they (customers) must recharge before using more water,” President Samia explained.

While acknowledging that the technology needed to fully integrate the prepaid system is still lacking, the President tasked Minister Aweso to explore solutions to install modern systems to better serve the people.

Furthermore, President Samia encouraged citizens to pay their water bills in order to help the government generate revenue for repaying the loans and funding other development projects.

Highlighting the socioeconomic benefits of the project, she pointed out that it will reduce the spread of waterborne diseases caused by contaminated water, thus fighting poverty and improving living standards.

The Same-MwangaKorogwe Water Project has increased water production capacity from merely 3.7 million litres to 51.65 million litres per day, which will enable continuous access to water for residents 24 hours a day, serving 300,000 citizens in 38 villages across the three districts, compared to only 50,615 citizens before the project’s implementation.

In related developments, President Samia called on the Ministry of Water and the public to ensure the conservation of water sources, including the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam.

“Infrastructure and water sources are vital and must be protected to ensure the continued flow of water, allowing citizens to enjoy the benefits of the government’s water projects,” she said.

President Samia commended the Ministry of Water, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation for their collaboration with development partners, particularly the Saudi Development Fund and the Kuwait Fund.

On improving electricity availability in the northern region, President Samia said the government is finalising agreements with neighbouring countries to supply power to regions including Kilimanjaro.

“In the future, we will have a reliable supply of both water and electricity in the northern region,” President Samia concluded.

For his part, Minister Aweso thanked President Samia for her continuous support and cooperation throughout the project’s implementation.

“You gave us the directive to complete this project because you did not want to see women suffering from walking long distances in search of water. Beyond your directives, your cooperation was motivating and that is why my colleagues and I worked day and night to achieve today’s success,” said Minister Aweso.

He also thanked former Vice-President and Prime Minister Mr Cleopa Msuya for his advice and support during the project’s implementation.

Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Nurdin Babu, stated that currently, clean water availability in Same and Mwanga districts stands at 89 per cent.