Africa-Press – Tanzania. MORE than 5.5bn/- has been allocated in the 2025/26 financial year for the rehabilitation of 15 small- and medium-sized dams, as part of the implementation of the Five-Year Rainwater Harvesting Strategy (2022–2026).
Through the budget the government will also promote rainwater harvesting from rooftops particularly in public institutions such as schools, dispensaries, health centres, hospitals and various government offices.
Deputy Minister for Water, Eng Kundo Mathew informed the august House yesterday that the government is proceeding with the implementation of the strategy through the construction of dams aimed at addressing the challenges of floods and drought.
He said the implementation of the Five-Year Roadside Rainwater Harvesting Strategy (2020–2025) is also underway, which involves the construction of water reservoirs specifically designed to protect road and railway infrastructure.
The strategy aims to utilise existing roadside infrastructure for water collection and storage.
It also focuses on adapting to climate change, promoting sustainable development and increasing water availability.
The Deputy Minister said through the strategies, a total of 45 dams have been constructed between 2022 and 2025, and construction is underway for 19 more dams in various parts of the country.
In her basic question, Special Seats MP Grace Tendega (CCM) wanted to know the government strategy to ensure that rainwater harvesting helps reduce water challenges.
She said the regions located in the Southern Highlands, including Iringa Region, receive rainfall for four to eight months, during which rainwater flows into major rivers but in Kalenga Constituency, water scarcity remains a challenge.
She inquired about the government strategy to ensure that the rain water is harvested through the construction of dams in Kalenga to relieve residents from the burden of water shortages.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister said that in the 2025/26 financial year, the government will conduct feasibility studies and detailed designs for water projects aimed at extending water services to villages not yet covered by the Lake Victoria water project, including Nyamwaga and Nyamongo villages in Tarime Rural.
He said currently the villages of Sirari, Nyamwaga and Nyamongo receive water through spring sources and deep wells that have been drilled in the areas.
Mr Mathew added that to further improve water services in the areas, the government is implementing the 28 Towns Water Project, which draws water from Lake Victoria to supply the precious liquid to Rorya and Tarime districts.
He said upon completion, the project will also benefit Sirari village.
The project is expected to be completed in the 2025/26 financial year.
Mr Mathew was responding to a basic question by Tarime Rural MP Mwita Waitara who wanted to know when water from Lake Victoria will reach the villages of Sirari, Nyamwaga, and Nyamongo located in Tarime Rural District.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
