Samia’s short and long term measures to end water woes

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled her administration’s short and long term plans towards easing water shortage in Dar es Salaam, mentioning deep wells in Kigamboni and Kidunda water supply reservoir projects as workable solutions.

President Hassan was responding to Dar es Salaam’s regional commissioner Amos Makala, who was updating the President on workable solutions towards water shortage that has hit Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions, at a clean cooking solution conference on Tuesday.

“Climate impacts are attributed by two factors – natural and man-made causes, in this conference, we have been informed that Pwani is one of the leading regions as far as deforestation is concerned hence causing water sources to dry up,,” she remarked.

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According to the President, Dar es Salaam and Pwani suffer from man-made conditions as there are human activities on freshwater flows, which include construction of ponds for aquaculture, agricultural activities (massive irrigation projects) and other related factors.

And since the region’s water infrastructure does not accommodate the current population, eight percent of the country’s 61.7 million people, therefore, the President instructed the minister responsible for water to revisit the city’s internal water systems.

“The immediate solution to the current water shortage in Dar es Salaam will be the 12 deep wells in Kigamboni, which are estimated to supply at least 70 million litres per day and Kidunda dam water project, should serve as a long term solution.”

The head of state noted that the Premier Kassim Majaliwa, supervises the said Kigamboni projects as funds were already disbursed. Stressing: “So I want to see adequate water flow to the residents of Dar es Salaam, thus eliminating the undergoing severe water rationing.

“I equally want to see water flux along the river (Ruvu). Those who have blocked the said flow should immediately vacate the basins. I am informed that perpetrators were removed during last month’s operation, but I want respective RCs and Dawasa to revisit the scene,” the President instructed.

Adding that: “Several studies have indicated that by next year (2023), water supply in Dar es Salaam will stand at 100 percent, but despite the noted fact; other areas in the city still lack access to the commodity,” she said.

Adding: “Of course, the reason behind is the fact that unplanned settlement has an enormous challenge in the provision of reliable water supplies to its population. In fact, it is exceedingly difficult even to install water supply systems in the said areas.”

For the Kidunda project, President Hassan observed: “Am told the construction will take two years to complete, filling the dam may take two to three years depending on the rains, so for fully operations, then you are talking about five years to come.”

Earlier, Mr Makala had informed the president saying: “I want to update you on your directive regarding the water shortage that residents in Dar es Salaam have been experiencing for the last two weeks. And that the Kigamboni water project should ease the said acute water rationing.”

Adding: “Tonight, we are going to pump 70,000 litres from the 12 deep wells in Kigamboni which in fact you had already disbursed at least Sh23 billion for that matter. In fact, water shortage comes as a result of the climate impact the country is experiencing.”

On the other hand Mr Makala informed the public that with regards to the Kidunda dam, on Monday this week, the government had already signed a deal (not specifying) for the construction of the said water reservoir.

Media reports have it that Sinohydro Corporation Limited will execute the Sh329.5 billion tender for the construction of Kidunda project after the Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA) dismissed an appeal that sought to stop award of the work to a successful bidder.

It is said that the China Gezhouba Group Company Limited had gone to the quasi-judicial body to block the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa) from awarding the tender to Sinohydro after claiming unfair disqualification from the tender process.

After hearing the parties, the authority finally sided with Dawasa that the disqualification of Gezhouba was justified since the company failed to comply with design and construction experience requirements.

The reservoir, which is located in Morogoro rural, has for many years failed to kick off over several reasons including procurement setbacks. The project is designed to improve water supply, control floods, improve irrigation, fishing, and other issues.