Ministry steps up dam safety training to avert risk

DODOMA: THE government has intensified efforts to strengthen the safety of water dams and tailings storage facilities (TSF), announcing a national training programme aimed at improving standards and preventing potential disasters.

The three-day training, organized by the Ministry of Water in partnership with the Tanzania Chamber of Mines and City Engineering, will be held in Mwanza from October 21 to 23, this year.

It will focus on the full life cycle of dam infrastructure, including design, construction, operation and closure.

Speaking in Dodoma on Tuesday on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Water Resources, Mr Robert Sunday, said the programme is designed to equip professionals with skills needed to ensure long-term dam stability and public safety.

He said maintaining dam safety requires continuous oversight and strong technical capacity, even after construction is completed.

“Enhancing the competence of professionals responsible for dams is critical to ensuring that both water and tailings facilities remain safe and functional,” he said.

The training will bring together dam owners, mining companies, certified professionals, including Approved Professional Persons (APPs), and government regulators responsible for safety and environmental compliance.

Mr Sunday called on engineers, policymakers and private sector players to register through the official training portal.

He said Tanzania has conducted annual dam safety workshops for the past four years in collaboration with international experts, strengthening national safeguards and environmental protection.

He added that the country has initiated procedures to join the International Commission on Large Dams, following resolutions of the 2025 Dam Safety Conference.

Membership will help align Tanzania’s standards with global best practices and enhance capacity in managing large-scale dam infrastructure.

The 2025 conference, held in November, brought together more than 200 participants and focused on emergency preparedness and response to dam-related hazards, drawing lessons from South Africa.

Mr Sunday said this year’s training will build on those efforts, particularly as mining and water projects continue to expand.

He stressed that continuous training is essential to prevent dam failures, protect communities and safeguard investments in key sectors.

Registration for the programme is now open, with authorities urging stakeholders to ensure full participation.