MARA: OVER 40,000 residents of Musoma District are expected to benefit from the ongoing construction of 650m/- water network project in the area.
According to the information obtained during ongoing Uhuru Torch race in Mara region, upon the completion of the project, over 40,000 people are expected to enjoy the access of clean and safe water in the area.
The-one-year project from November, last year, covers seven streets, namely Kwangwa A, Kwangwa B, Kiara, Songambele, Nyabisare, Bweri as well as Bweri-Bukoba, according to Musoma Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MUWASA) Director, Engineer Nicas Mugisha.
Mr Mugisha explained that the central government disbursed 400m/- in 2023/24 financial year and that 200m/- has been set aside in the current fiscal year for the completion of the project.
He added that Musoma residents also have contributed at least 55.9m/-for the project.
“About 40,000 people are targeted, with at-least three-quarter of them already benefiting. The project involves among other things, the purchase and laying off a-41.797 pipe-kilometer network,” he said.
“Once completed, the project will extend clean and water service from the current 95 to 98 per cent in Musoma. It will also help to control the outbreak of waterborne disease and boost the authority’s income.
ALSO READ: Relief to over 12,000 residents as SBL funded water project launched in Magu
The implementation of the project has reached 67 percent,” he noted.
Uhuru Torch Race leader, Mr Godfrey Mnzava, commended the efforts on the ground and asked Muwasa to speed up the project and make sure it is completed as per time frame.
“It is up to the Authority to make sure people access reliable safe and clean water,” he noted.
Nyabisare Street Chairperson, Mr Shija Ngige said the project has so far stimulated economic activities in the area. He said before the implementation of the project, many residents especially women were spending hours in search of water.
He added that people were experiencing water borne diseases from time to time due to consuming unsafe water.
He commended citizens in his area for supporting the execution of the project.
“I am very grateful to the people I lead here; they have shown courage and cooperation in the implementation of the project. We will continue to mobilise ourselves for the on-going and upcoming projects,” he said.
The project beneficiaries in Nyabisare Street, including Ms Susan Otindo, affirmed that people used to fetch water from ponds and locally dug water wells, whose quality was highly contaminated.
“We spent not only much time but also had a long walk-in search of water. We are thankful to our President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for this remarkable development,” she noted.