Water accessibility in Mtwara rural now at 67pc

WATER accessibility in Mtwara rural has reached 67 per cent, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) Regional Manager Engineer Primy Damas has said.

Eng Damas made the revelation here over the weekend, noting that the achievement was due to massive investment made by the government in improving and developing new water projects in the region.

The ruling party’s manifesto directs the government to improve access of water services to 85 per cent in rural areas and 95 per cent in urban areas by 2025.

“The projects under implementation and the ones we are yet to start developing will help us attain and even surpass the set target,” he said.

He said the agency is implementing 34 water projects that would provide water services to 144 villages in Mtwara rural.

“We (RUWASA) are also set to implement 32 new water projects in the next financial year,” he said, noting that the projects will serve 141 villages.

Eng Damas mentioned other water project to increase water services as Makonde Plateau Water project in Newala District.

According to Eng Damas, the government has provided 84.7bn/- for rehabilitating the infrastructures of the project.

The Makonde Plateau is set to serve 539,000 people in Newala, Tandahimba and Nanyamba Town upon completion of the work.

The agency is also implementing another strategic project that draws water from Ruvuma River to Mangaka Town in Nanyumbu District.

The project is expected to serve 81, 330 population in Mangaka villages.

Meanwhile, Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Ahmed Abbas asked RUWASA to observe integrity and accountability in the implementation of the projects to ensure value for money.

He also asked the ‘wananchi’ in the area to pay water bills as required to help in maintenance of the water projects.