Ushetu 44.5bn/- water project delay sparks councillors’ concern
SHINYANGA: A WATER project worth 44.5bn/- in Ushetu District, Kahama, Shinyanga Region, has come under scrutiny from councillors following an extension of the contractor’s completion deadline.
The Councillors’ have questioned the pace of implementation and called on the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to tighten supervision and ensure the project is completed within the revised timeframe.
Speaking during the Ushetu District Council’s first-quarter meeting for the 2026/2027 financial year, covering July to September, Councillors called on the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to closely supervise the contractor and ensure timely completion.
Kinamapula Ward Councillor, Mr Samweli Sharifu, said some areas had suffered water shortages for years, with investigations conducted in 2014 reportedly indicating that groundwater was unavailable in certain locations.
He said residents had endured the situation for too long and were now more interested in receiving reliable water supplies than hearing about contractual arrangements.
“We do not want to keep hearing about contracts; we want water,” he said.
Igunda Ward Councillor, Ms Tabu Katoto, thanked the government for investing in the major water project but questioned how long other communities would have to wait to benefit.
She said the construction of a 100,000-litre storage tank in one section of Igunda village raised concerns about the timing of water distribution to other areas covered by the project.
Ulowa Ward Councillor and Chairman of the Council’s Health, Water and Environment Committee, Mr Gabriel Kimaro, said the extension had placed councillors in a difficult position when explaining the delay to residents.
He urged RUWASA to strengthen supervision of the contractor to ensure the project was completed within the revised timeframe.
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Acting RUWASA District Manager, Engineer Mkama Msilanga, said the agency was implementing four water projects in the council, including the major scheme drawing water from Lake Victoria.
“The Lake Victoria project would serve 11 wards and 54 hamlets and was initially scheduled for completion in October 2026. However, various challenges had necessitated an extension, with completion now expected in April 2028,” he said.
Eng Msilanga further said other ongoing interventions included water projects in Mdenya, Kigwa and Kisomela villages under the 1575 programme, rehabilitation of boreholes in Sabasabini and Iboja villages and repairs to 15 small water-supply facilities.
He added that the major project would begin with pipeline distribution in Ulowa before extending towards Igunda and other beneficiary areas.
Eng Msilanga said the completed major scheme would further strengthen water availability, urging residents to remain patient as implementation continued.
