WATER PROJECTS: Samia wins MPs accolades
DODOMA: MEMBERS of Parliament have expressed their appreciation for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commendable efforts in tackling water scarcity, particularly in rural areas.
During Friday’s debate on the 2024/25 budget for the Ministry of Water, the lawmakers praised the successful implementation of various projects aimed at ending war blues across the country during President’s three years in office.
The legislators paid tribute to, underscoring her success in addressing the challenges faced by countless Tanzanian women who previously endured long journeys in search of this vital resource, saying her efforts have significantly improved access to clean water, transforming the lives of many.
On Thursday, Water Minister, Jumaa Aweso, presented the budget for the upcoming Financial Year, urging legislators to approve a total of 627.7bn/- for the ministry’s recurrent and development expenditure. The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing access to safe and clean water, with a target of reaching 95 per cent coverage for urban dwellers.
Mr Aweso stated that in order to achieve the goal of reaching over 85 per cent of villages by 2024/25, the government has continued its efforts to construct and rehabilitate water projects, expand water distribution networks and enhance rural water service management.
These efforts, he told the House, have resulted in an increase in the availability of water services from an average of 77 per cent in December 2022 to approximately 79.6 per cent in December 2023.
Debating the 2024/25 budget proposals yesterday, lawmakers congratulated the government’s efforts on the availability of crucial social services, especially water. Maswa East MP, Stanslaus Nyongo (CCM), paid tribute to Dr Samia for the great job she is doing for Tanzanians, especially in relieving Tanzanian women of the burden of carrying buckets of water on their heads.
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He noted that the 6th phase President has always focused on improving social services, including education, health, and above all, water services, and that she deserves a big round of applause from MPs.
“If we look at various projects, as the chairperson of a parliamentary standing committee on health, the President has provided lots of funds in efforts to avert epidemic diseases and by providing money for the execution of several water projects in rural areas, we have managed to save people’s health because they now have access to clean and safe water,” he said.
Special Seats MP, Ghati Chomete (CCM), also paid tribute to President Samia and top officials in the ministry for their efforts in solving water scarcity in the country. Mwibara MP, Charles Kaje (CCM), advised that the budget for the Water Ministry be increased in order to improve efficiency and help the ministry implement its development plans effectively.
His sentiments were echoed by CCM’s Donge legislator, Soud Mohamed Juma, who noted that Tanzanians were good witnesses to offer their testimonies on how the Ministry of Water was working day and night to solve water challenges. He also suggested that the budget be increased.
He also advised that the government should review its Water Policy, which he said was outdated, as it was enacted 20 years ago and cannot cater to current demands. Since assuming office, President Samia has intensified efforts to improve water access in both urban and rural areas by completing old projects and implementing new ones.
Water access has increased from an average of 77 per cent in December 2022 to an average of 79.6 per cent in December 2023. The increase is due to the implementation of 632 projects, which include 7,956 water pumping stations capable of serving 4,740,959 citizens.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, 34,950,368 rural residents have access to water services out of a total of 39,232,999 living in rural regions.
Additionally, 213 urban water projects have been built, providing safe and clean water to over 6.2 million Tanzanians.
Regarding the urban water service improvement project, the ministry continues to implement projects worth 1.48tri/- in 28 cities, with 24 cities receiving soft loan funds from the government of India through Exim Bank and four cities receiving local funds.
Dam construction and renovation have been initiated by the government, including the Farkwa Dam construction project aimed at ending water shortages in Dodoma City and the Kidunda Dam construction project to strengthen the water flow of the Ruvu River for year-round supply to Upper and Lower Ruvu water plants. Furthermore, the government drilled 1,092 water wells in various locations in 2022, up from 994 in 2021.
Through the third Five-Year Development Plan 2021-2026, the government has identified water and sanitation health as key components for human development, with strategies outlined for water availability, distribution and protection of water sources and resources.
The plan focuses on improving water supply and sanitation services in urban and rural areas, as well as protecting water sources and the environment.
Key interventions highlighted in the FYDP III include strengthening supply infrastructures for clean and safe water, establishing and enhancing Community-Based Water Supply Organisations (CBWSOs) for sustainable rural water supply and sanitation services, promoting technologies for effluent and sludge treatment for recycling, constructing strategic water reservoirs, supporting the management and equitable utilisation of transboundary water resources and strengthening conservation and protection programmes for water resources and sources.
Additionally, the plan emphasises enhancing water resources research systems, data collection, processing, storage and dissemination of water statistics, as well as establishing programmes and mechanisms for managing, monitoring and assessing water and wastewater quality.
