The Tanzanian government has unveiled a strategy to alleviate the water crisis in the country by introducing a series of 1,810 water projects across the country
The minister for water, Jumanne Maghembe, said the three-year programme from 2013/14 to 2015 has been code named ‘Big Results Now’.
“Upon the completion of the projects, more than 15.4mn people living in rural areas will have access to water," said Maghembe.
“This will raise the number of people with access to water from 57 per cent at present to 75 per cent by 2015.”
The minister added that the programme will include the rehabilitation and expansion of projects and infrastructure. It will also involve increasing the number of water kiosks and putting in place an effective system of water infrastructure maintenance and availability of spare parts.
Maghembe said that during the next financial year the government will carry out a Dar es Salaam water emergency plan that aims to increase the water supply from 300mn litres to 700mn litres per day.
He added that the Kidunda water dam will be constructed to ensure sufficient and reliable water supply throughout the year at River Ruvu and generate 20MW of power.
The minister also said that a contractor has already been picked for the drilling of 20 wells at Kimbiji and Mpera.
He revealed, “Preliminary projection is to draw 260mn litres from these wells by next year."
