Mega water project to benefit Dar, Coast regions

OVER 500,000 residents of Dar es Salaam and Coast regions are expected to have access to water services in the next three months, thanks to the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA)’s ambitious project for the supply of water in both regions.

The Minister for Water and Irrigation, Engineer Gerson Lwenge, made a working tour of the various construction works in different places at the weekend to inspect the progress of the 72bn/- project which kicked off in March 2016.

The project which is implemented by Jain Irrigation Company from India will be completed on November 16, this year. At the weekend, the Minister tasked the company’s administration to increase pace in the implementation of the project so as to beat the deadline.

“You only have three months remaining, we will not extend the deadline and that is why I want you to have the required speed”.

Jain Irrigation Company President, Mr Anil Vitankar promised the Minister that despite the few challenges that the company’s engineers were facing, the company was ready to meet the November 16 deadline.

“We are working day and night and our team is fully committed to ensure that we accomplish the work within the given deadline,’’ he insisted.

During the weekend working tour, the Minister was accompanied by DAWASA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Romanus Mwang’ingo and Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (DAWASCO) officials, among others.

The 72bn/- project will among other things, put up nine big water tanks that have a capacity of maintaining between 3.0 and 6.0 million litres of water as well as putting up other four centres of pumping water, according to Eng Lwenge (pictured).

The areas that will benefit from the project include Salasala, Bunju, Wazo, Makongo, Changanyikeni, Bagamoyo, Mpiji, Zinga, Kiromo, Kitopeni, Ukuni, Kerege, Buma, Mataya and a special Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), which are receiving services from Ruvu Chini water station.

Others are Mbezi Luisi, Kiluvya, Kibamba, Mbezi, Msakuzi, Makabe, Malamba mawili and Msigani. These areas receive water from Ruvu Juu water station that was inaugurated by President John Magufuli on June 21, this year.

The major aim of this project, according to the Minister, is to ensure that all residents and factories of the Dar es Salaam and Coast regions receive water services after the completion of the expansion of Ruvu Juu and Ruvu Chini water stations.

Bagamoyo District Commissioner (DC), Majid Mwanga said the completion of the project would contribute to the district’s development because there were industries in his area that need water services to carry out operations.