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By George Sembony
The Citizen Correspondent
Muheza. The government has been accused of failing to execute a project that would enable villagers to earn money while protecting the environment. Addressing a rally here on Monday, the Chadema deputy secretary general, Mr Zitto Kabwe, said poor management of the environment was also to blame for water shortages in a district with abundant water sources. “It is amazing that people in Muheza, an old district with numerous water sources, can face a serious water shortage,” he said.
Muheza is home to the East Usambara Forests and qualifies for the carbon finance funds, which rewards people engaged in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Activities of the World Bank Carbon Finance Unit are part of the larger global effort to combat climate change and are aligned with the World Bank and its Environment Department's mission to reduce poverty and improve living standards in the developing world.
Tanzania could greatly benefit from the funds if the leadership was sharp enough to look for them, Mr Kabwe said.
“It is unfortunate that government leaders do not care for people’s problems,” he added, “and that is why the Muheza water problem is taking so long to resolve despite the district having ample water sources to tap from.”
The search for a permanent solution to the water shortage problem has been marked by a chain of promises that began almost half a decade ago.
They include the 2006 promise of a project to draw water from River Delema in the East Usambaras that was estimated to cost Sh3.6 billion. The Muheza Trunk Main proposal came in 2005 and was estimated to cost Sh8.4 billion.
Unless Muheza’s water blues are fixed, according to District Council Chairman Alhaji Amiri Kiroboto, the 2015 general election could be a nightmare for the ruling party.
Speaking at the recent Tanga Regional Consultative Council meeting, Mr Kiroboto said the persistent water problems in the township and surrounding areas have put politicians from the ruling party in a tight corner. “Politicians are now avoiding podiums because they do not have anything to say to the people on the burning issue,” he added.
Muheza’s water problems have taken a turn for the worse in recent years, with residents fetching water from Pongwe and Tanga City. “Muheza people have been asking why it is that Tanga City residents enjoy water from a river originating from their district,” said Mr Kiroboto, “while they have been craving the most important item for years.”
Mr Kabwe also spoke of the power problem in Muheza, which has lasted more than three months. He promised to contact the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) Director General in search of a permanent solution.
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