AfricaPress-Tanzania: FLOODS which were disrupting normal life of residents and other people in some parts of Zanzibar City is now a problem of the past following successful implementation of drainage system improvement project supported by the World Bank.
Several residents interviewed in some areas of the city such as Jangombe, Kwahani, and Kilimani on UNGUJA Island, on the impact of last week heavy downpour, said rain water drained from their areas.
“For many years, including last year, we had this problem of flooding at this time of the rainy season, forcing us to abandon our houses and leave damaged properties behind,” said some residents.
Mr Abbasi Hassan of Kilimani area said every rainy season, houses used to get flooded with water, and they are forced to seek for shelter elsewhere for several days until the rainy season elapses.
“We are now happy. Thanks to the government and development partners,” he said. Water drainage system has been constructed throughout the Zanzibar Urban area under the Zanzibar Urban Services Project (ZUSP) with support from the World Bank.
The Project had three main components, namely Institutional Strengthening and Infrastructure Development in the Zanzibar Municipal Council (ZMC), Support to Town Councils on Pemba Island, and Project Management.
ZUSP has been implemented between 2011 and 2019, with a total funding of US $93 million.
ZUSP investments provide improved access to basic services to nearly 400,000 beneficiaries through various infrastructure investments, including over 20 kilometer of constructed surface drains.
