Vice-President Samia to grace 10th assembly of African ministers

LUDOVICK KAZOKA

VICE-President, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to grace the opening of 10th General Assembly of African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) slated for July 18 to 22 in Dar es Salaam.

Briefing reporters on the event in Dar es Salaam, Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Mr Mbogo Futakamba, said the meeting to be preceded by Africa Water Week would be a vital platform to discuss issues pertaining to water resources in Africa.

“The main goal of the Africa Water Week is to reaffirm a political commitment at the highest level for creating platform to discuss and collectively seek solutions to Africa’s water and sanitation challenges,” said the PS.

The AMCOW which goes under the theme “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Water Security and Sanitation,” is expected to bring together about 1,000 participants from up to 54 African countries.

Engineer Futakamba pointed out that the theme emanates from recognition of the importance of laying the building blocks for Africa to achieve the SDG number 6 as well as other inter-linking SDGs connected with water resources management.

The Goal number 6 of SDGs calls for United Nations member states to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030. Mr Futakamba further said the meeting would sum up with adoption of Dar es Salaam Declaration while the main outcome of the 6th Africa Water Week would be a roadmap for developing a comprehensive plan of action for Africa.

According to AMCOW Executive Secretary, Mr Bai Mss Taal, Africa Water Week is a bold initiative to promote AMCOW’s belief that effective and efficient management of water resources lead to the provision of adequate and equitable access to safe water and sanitation.

“Africa Water Week has grown into a huge global brand and movement which lobbies to influence global, regional and national actions and programme to achieve water security and improved sanitation services delivery,” he said.

Mr Taal observed that the meeting would elect Minister for Water and Irrigation, Eng Gerson Lwenge, to assume the responsibility of AMCOW President during the General Assembly and that will place Tanzania at the AMCOW leadership helm.

“We have no doubt that the government of Tanzania will provide AMCOW the much dynamic leadership,” he said. The meeting will draw participants from governments, regional institutions, international partners, the private sector, the scientific community, civil society, youth and the media from all over the world.