MICHAEL SIKAPUNDWA in Tabora
MINISTER
for Water and Irrigation Prof Makame Mbarawa has directed the
contractor assigned the 268 bn/- Lake Victoria water project from Tabora
through Kahama, Uyui, Igunga, Nzega and Tinde, to work day and night to
ensure its timely completion.
Speaking
at a public rally at Mwalimu Nyerere’s Monument square here recently,
the visibly irritated minister expressed misgivings over the slow pace
of the project, emphatically declaring that the November 2019 deadline
won’t be extended.
The
minister reiterated the fifth phase government’s earnest resolve to
ensure that clean and safe water was available for all the people
countrywide, in both rural and urban areas.
The
minister urged wananchi to uphold the principle of responsible
citizenship by paying water supply bills promptly and refraining from
misdeeds like illegal connections.
“The
government will take legal action against perpetrators of misdeeds,” he
said, urging community members to play a frontline role in protecting
water sources.
He
furthermore directed water utilities countrywide to conduct regular
inspections in residential and service zones, as part of a watchdog
mission against mischief.
Nearly 70 villages within 15km of the main water pipeline will be connected to water services.
Government
records indicate that the project is a long-time dream to supply the
precious liquid to at least 1.1 million villagers.
The project that begins from Solwa village includes laying of a main pipeline to Tabora through Igunga, Uyui, Nzega and Tinde.
“The
infrastructure must be protected for sustainable use. Legal actions
will be instituted to those found damaging the infrastructure,”
Professor Mbarawa said.
Malolo
villagers, who have been inconvenienced by reliance on salty water
drawn from boreholes, have constantly sought the government to come to
their rescue.
Tabora
Urban Water Supply Authority (Tuwasa) boss Mkama Bwire says Tabora
Region is home to 20 wards, of which 19 receive water supply from
boreholes.
He said the Lake Victoria project would improve water supply in the region by up to 95 per cent by the end of 2020
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