THE government has started preparations and mobilising funds for implementation of the Second Phase of the Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP-II) set to begin this financial year.
Water and Irrigation Minister Engineer
Gerson Lwenge made the remarks in Dar es Salaam during the opening of
the Tenth Water Sector Review Meeting, pointing out that the goal is to
ensure that all rural and urban areas in the country get access to clean
and safe water by 2020.
“An estimated budget of around 6
trillion/- from the government and the Development Partners is required
to complete the five-year programme,” noted Eng Lwenge.
To this instance, Development Partners
have pledged to issue at least 1.4 billion US dollars, which is
equivalent to 3tri/- while the rest of the funds will be raised by the
government.
Eng Lwenge pointed out that the funds
will be used in constructing and managing water infrastructures from the
source to the distribution points.
“Constructing and managing the
infrastructures will go in line with awareness creation in maintaining
the sources so that the main goal of accessing clean and safe water can
be attained throughout the country,” he said.
Growth of towns and cities has led to a
massive production of waste water, which has turned out to be
problematic in the country.
Along with the improvement of access to
water supply and sanitation services, the government anticipates to
establish a strategic plan to dispose waste water being produced.
The climate change trend over the years
has at times caused water sources to dry up and lead the country to a
serious shortage. Plans are, therefore, underway to begin utilising sea
water.
He pointed out that the WSDP- II is
going to act as a platform to address the challenges faced in the course
of implementation and accomplishment of the WSPD-I.
There have been a number of issues and
challenges encountered in the course of implementation that need to be
effectively addressed to ensure better performance and results in the
second phase of the programme.
Some of the key issues cover areas such
as coordination between institutions, planning, budgeting, data quality
and reporting, and sustainability of the infrastructure and services
provided under the programme.
“I emphasize that you take note of these
issues during your deliberations for the good of the water sector in
general and for the programme in particular,” pointed out the minister.
Notable achievement in the WSPD-I has
seen an increase in number of water points of which by June 2015, a
total of 87,993 water points were installed benefiting 21,497,183 people
in rural areas.
On the other hand, a total of 584,473
domestic water connections and 5,836 public standpipes were installed in
urban areas and benefited a total of 7,923,740 people.
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