AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE government will set aside US$45.3million (105bn/-) to improve water services in Songea municipality, Ruvuma Region.
Regional Commissioner, Christina Mndeme revealed this here on Monday when speaking ahead of this year’s Water Week, which kicks off today and will end up on March 22.
RC Mndeme said that the money has been provided by the Indian government.
“What is going on now through our Ministry of Water, is the procurement process for contractors to implement the huge project which will involve the construction of a water reservoir that will have the capacity to store five billion liters of water,” said Mndeme.
The project will also involve expansion of a water treatment plant with the capacity of treating more than 51.4 million liters per day, the construction of four 18.2 million liters of water storage tanks and the supply of pipelines capable of transporting 190.3 km of water.
When completed more than 95 percent of Songea Municipal residents will have access to clean and safe water, according to RC Mndeme.
“People who have no access to piped water, they will all benefit from this giant project. Through this venture water supply will be increased from 86.2 percent to 95 percent and that the goal is to achieve 100 percent water supply in the Songea, Tunduru and Mbinga.”
She further said that the government has pumped in 7bn/- to improve water infrastructure in Songea, Mbinga and Tunduru districts of Ruvuma Region.
Mndeme said that that the funds are for executing different water projects in the three districts.
“The water sector has done a great job in implementing the idea of relieving women from water-related challenges,” the RC said.
Through Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) and Songea Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (SOUWASA) a lot has been done whereby the government released more than 7bn/- for investing in water sector across the region, Mndeme said.
So far, more than 5bn/- has been received and water supply in Songea District has increased from 74 percent to 86.2percent.
According to her, Mbinga District has received more than 1bn/-, which has improved water supply in the area from 52.2 percent to 70.8 percent, while Tunduru District got over 600m/-, which increased water supply from 55 percent to 66 percent.
She however cited limited water sources for the Songea Municipality as one of the challenges that need to be addressed. This has contributed by increasing population which also increased the water demand in the municipality with a population of 353,000 people.
She said in order to address this challenge, regional office through SOUWASA has embarked in a new programme aimed at scaling up water pipes so that people get enough water.
RC Mndeme commended RUWASA for working hard to ensure water is available in urban and rural areas across the region, with an estimated population of over 1.34 million.
RUWASA Regional manager Eng. Rebman Ganshonga said that between July 2019 and February 2021, the agency received 20bn/- from the central government in implementing different water projects.
