Pinda asks India to improve Dodoma water supply

URBAN EPIMARK in Dodoma

RETIRED Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda

RETIRED Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, has asked the Indian government to help design Dodoma City to enable it have reliable water supplies, a factor that will promote economic and social activities in the designated capital.

Mr Pinda made the appeal at special investment forum organised by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) for Dodoma Region in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Tanzania, held at Morena Hotel in the designated capital yesterday.

The forum which included seminar and exhibitions from various local entrepreneurial groups in Tanzania and India, was targeted to give new insights on how to identify investment opportunities and develop them in partnerships.

The retired premier noted that besides Dodoma Region being a designated capital, still there are several factors that limit entrepreneurial groups being unable to develop to desired levels. The ex-premier said that due to unreliable water supply, a lot of economic and social activities cannot be operated smoothly and if the water supply will not improve with population pressure in pipeline, no sooner the situation will be even worse.

Mr Pinda said with adequate water supply, Dodoma residents will be in a better position to embark on modern agricultural activities which will likely improve their livelihoods. Mr Pinda commended Indians entrepreneurs for their competency in entrepreneurial activities especially in areas of automobile, pharmaceuticals and ICT and urged Tanzanians to acquire the skills.

Currently, the government of India is implementing huge water projects which is valued at more than USD 150 billion in Tabora Region. The water project is developed from Lake Victoria down to Nzega and Igunga Districts, then Mr Pinda urged Indians to re-consider proceeding to Singida and then Dodoma Region.

On his part, the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Sandeep Arya, vowed to increase trade with Tanzania on three sectors of automobiles, pharmaceutical and ICT and India will sustain its support in the education sector whereby it will continue to offer scholarships opportunities every year to enable more Tanzanian youth to study in Indian universities.

The Commissioner then mentioned some projects which are currently implemented by India to Tanzania to include huge ICT project at Nelson Mandela University in Arusha and Technology Unit at DIT College in Dar.

Another project includes cancer treatment unit at Bugando Hospital in Mwanza City, which he said all these projects give a clear testimony of good relationship between India and Tanzania.