Samia: Kizimkazi’s water project built beyond today’s needs

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and Zanzibar have built a water project in Kizimkazi with a one-million-litre storage tank and an improved water source capable of producing 2.4 million litres a day; more than 20 times the area’s current demand of about 100,000 litres—as the government plans for population growth, expanding settlements and increased investment.

Speaking yesterday at the Kizimkazi Festival, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the decision to build infrastructure far beyond current requirements was deliberate, arguing that the government must plan for the area’s future rather than address only its immediate water needs.

The project replaces a 150,000-litre tank built in 1974, which had become dilapidated and inadequate as Kizimkazi and surrounding areas expanded.

President Hassan said the old tank had eventually stopped functioning because of technical problems and damage, while its capacity could no longer meet the needs of a growing population and economy.

“We did not look at the needs of today only; we also looked at future needs. The town is growing, investment is growing, people continue to be born and neighbouring villages also do not have water,” she said during the project’s inauguration.

She said the government had also considered the needs of neighbouring communities when determining the project’s capacity, noting that several areas around Kizimkazi continued to face water shortages.

President Hassan said the remaining work should ensure water reaches Kikuteni and Mtende, with surplus water potentially supplied to other communities. She also backed plans to establish a South District water grid, with tanks at strategic points to improve distribution and ensure water is shared efficiently.

The President said the infrastructure formed part of broader investment in Kizimkazi, which has also benefited from developments in health and vocational education.

She urged residents to protect the infrastructure, saying the investment should serve communities now and in the future.

“Let us protect this infrastructure as we protect our own eyes,” she said, describing the projects as essential to people’s lives, economic opportunities and wellbeing.

Water Minister Jumaa Aweso said the project’s scale was intended to ensure water shortages did not constrain development or discourage investors.

“There should be no excuse for the people of Kizimkazi or investors coming to invest here because of a lack of water,” Mr Aweso said.

He said the investment reflected the government’s decision to address water challenges through long-term infrastructure rather than short-term solutions.

Zanzibar Deputy Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals Seif Kombo Pandu said the project was implemented jointly by the governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar following directives from President Hassan and Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

He said the source can produce 2.4 million litres a day, while the new tank can store one million litres, with the remaining work involving extending the distribution network and connecting households.

South Unguja Regional Commissioner Hamida Mussa Khamis said the project addressed a long-standing water problem in Kizimkazi and surrounding communities.

She said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about unreliable water access, with tests of the new system already demonstrating its benefits.

“The people of Kizimkazi have started tasting the benefits of the water,” Ms Khamis said, pledging to work with communities to protect the infrastructure and extend supply to more residents.

TRA lays foundation for Sh3.6bn buildingIn another development, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) yesterday laid the foundation stone for a Sh3.6 billion office building in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, as it seeks to bring services closer to taxpayers.Speaking during the ceremony, Finance Minister, Mr Khamis Mussa Omar, said improved revenue collection was enabling the government to finance development projects and expand public services.

The minister said the TRA had been tasked with collecting Sh42 trillion this year, expressing confidence that it would meet and exceed the target.

TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda said Kizimkazi’s rapid growth, including an increase in hotels and the presence of a sports stadium, had created demand for accessible revenue services.

“Instead of travelling to town, we want all services available right here,” he said.Mr Mwenda said the authority was constructing similar facilities at 33 locations, with 49 projects worth Sh32 billion planned or underway nationwide.

He said the TRA was also planning joint service centres with the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA), allowing taxpayers to access services under one roof.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for measures to strengthen the economy and improve domestic revenue collection.