Mpwapwa to get modern dams, tackle floods
DODOMA: MINISTER for Home Affairs, Mr George Simbachawene, has directed the construction of modern dams in the hilly areas of Iyenge, Ludi, Vibewele and Mzogole villages in Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region, to curb the effects of floods that have been damaging homes and disrupting the central railway line.
Mr Simbachawene, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kibakwe, was speaking during a visit by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba to Gulwe Village, where he inspected infrastructure and houses damaged by ongoing heavy rains.
Speaking to residents and experts, Mr Simbachawene said the existing dams were built using outdated technology and are no longer sufficient to manage the volume of water flowing from the hills.
“It is crucial to construct new dams using modern technology at sites separate from the existing ones, ensuring that most of the water is retained in the hills, with only a controlled flow reaching the lower areas,” he said.
He further recommended the establishment of a health centre in the area to provide medical services to residents and travellers, who are often stranded whenever floods disrupt the central railway line.
Prime Minister Dr Nchemba instructed the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) to carry out emergency assessments to ascertain the extent of the damage to Godegode Bridge and the Gulwe Gorge.
Dr Nchemba ordered TANROADS to come up with evaluation on the funds required for the reconstruction of the affected infrastructure.
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Dr Nchemba also urged residents to protect the environment to reduce or eliminate flood-related damage caused by environmental degradation.
“We must confront the realities of climate change. The country must adapt to reduce disaster risks, prevent settlements in water channels, avoid deforestation and practice farming methods that do not block natural water flow,” he said.
Commenting on the Mpwapwa–Gulwe road, the Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges and noted that a contractor has already been found, with the only remaining requirement being the availability of funds.
Earlier, Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule explained that Dodoma is one of the regions most frequently affected by heavy rains.
She commended the government for allocating funds to repair some of the worst-hit areas.
The RC cited villages such as Mtanana and Fufu, where the government allocated 64bn/- to restore damaged infrastructure, saying the problems have now been resolved.
