Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed shoddy engineers slowing down the implementation of water projects in the country to step aside and pave way for ‘fresh blood’ to take over.
Addressing the National Assembly in Dodoma, President Samia said her government was set to make major changes in the water sector, in a move aimed at addressing water problems in the country.
She said it was unfortunate that some engineers executing water projects in the country have failed to deliver, instead force most projects to stall, while those completed are not functioning.
President Samia expressed her concerns that after painstaking efforts by the government to plan and fund the construction of several water projects, some have become white elephants and cannot supply water, saying shoddy engineers must shoulder the blame.
“Many projects have failed to take off, while those completed are not functioning despite having received a lot of government funds to implement them. “We cannot allow this to continue and the government is set to make major changes for engineers in the regions… we will bring in fresh blood that will help sustain leadership in the management of water projects, especially on implementation of the schemes in the country,” she said.
Equally, she pointed out that the changes will ensure the country achieves her target of ensuring 95 per cent water supply in urban areas and 85 per cent in rural sites by 2025 as stipulated in the ruling party election manifesto.
President Samia also issued a strong warning to the Minister for Water Jumaa Aweso to make sure he delivers by ensuring the targets are met, short of which, the president warned him to be ready to shoulder the burden.
“Failure to achieve the goal of supplying reliable water in rural and urban areas by 2025, will force the minister of water to step down… I say, you will have to leave,” stressed the Head of State.
Elaborating, she said: “Water problem is still a big challenge in various areas in the country as a result of poor management of water projects. It is further worsened by misuse of funds provided so that the citizens get clean and safe water. “The sixth phase government will put great emphasis in strengthening management in the implementation of water projects.”
President Samia said her government will also mobilise water funds through identifying new sources in many parts of the country, adding: “The sixth phase government will also ensure protection of water sources and environment to address water sources scarcity in many areas seeing dry ups. “In areas with no water sources, the government will establish water harvesting dams to supply streets and village committees with constant water supply.”
