Concern rising as mining activities are continue to pollute River Zigi

CHEJI BAKARI in Tanga

DESPITE Tanga Urban water Authority (Tanga- UWASA) and Muheza District government joining efforts to address mining activities along River Zigi banks in East Usambara Mountains, still such activities are carried out clandestinely and in turn pollute water that is used by Tanga City residents.

The revelation was made by Tanga UWASA Water Reserve Dam Manager, Siraji Nyoni at Mabayani, while explaining to the Minister for Water and Irrigation, Engineer Isaack Kamwelwe (pictured) , challenges they are facing in supplying water to the residents when the latter toured the site recently.

He said the dam which is located at Pande village in the outskirt of Tanga City, and constructed in 1976, being 14 metres deep purposely to collect water from the river, has been undergoing different processes to treat, filter and pump the liquid to the city with the challenge constantly being met.

He said the authority in collaboration with villages along the river in Muheza District, initiated a programme of protecting its banks and the environment including stopping cultivation of crops, mining activities and felling trees, which temporarily ceased only to resume again secretly.

“Your excellence Minister in protecting and conserving River Zigi environment. We initiated a programme in collaboration with villages around, it includes some stakeholders being compensated, but still some mining activities are being carried out secretly. We seek the government’s efforts,” he said.

In another development, Mr Nyoni said they only depend on the national grid electricity of about 280,000 kilovolts on monthly basis to pump the water, and in case the power goes off, they have no standby generator to assist.

In his response, the minister asked the authority to make sure they buy an alternative standby generator and use in case they fail to get electricity to ensure water is constantly supplied to the city. “Make sure the residents are getting water constantly all the times and buy an alternative standby generator,” he added.