Stakeholders call for fast-tracking of water projects implementation

WaterAid Tanzania country director Mr Ibrahim Kabole

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The meeting brought together WaterAid staff from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania,  the United Kingdom, government officials and representatives from the World Bank.

Dar es Salaam. The WaterAid East Africa on Friday, June 22 organized a roundtable discussion to look at the key opportunities for fast-tracking sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene in Tanzania.

The meeting brought together WaterAid staff from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania,  the United Kingdom, government officials and representatives from the World Bank.

Speaking to the journalists during the meeting, WaterAid Tanzania country director Mr Ibrahim Kabole expounded that majority of Tanzanians especially in rural areas don't have access to basic water supply and basic sanitation.

"While we have made progress, if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, we need to accelerate progress in implementing the water projects," he said.

He further established that women in rural Tanzania were the most vulnerable to an acute shortage of precious water resource, noting that as a result they were forced to engage in unpaid care work like walking long distance in search of water.

"Women in rural areas in particular are denied to participate in productive activities to generate additional income due to the critical shortage of water supply," he said.

In Tanzania, the Joint Monitoring Programme (JPM) statistics show that just 50 percent of Tanzanians have access to a basic water supply and 23.5 percent have access to basic sanitation.

For his part at same occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Prof Kitila Mkumbo reiterated that reliable access to basic water was critical to achieving Tanzania's industrialization drive, citing that the government in partnership with private sector and donors was determined to implement water projects.

"Water sector is among the top three key government's priorities others include health and education sectors. Adding "During the 2017/18 fiscal year ending in June, the government disbursed sufficient funds to the sector by 62 percent," he said.

Prof Mkumbo who also was a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) further assured that the government was determined to fast tracking access to clean water and basic sanitation by 85 percent and 90 percent in rural and urban areas respectively by 2020.

Commenting on the government's industilization drive, the PS expounded that the completion of the much awaited Sh500 billion Kidunda Dam water project in Morogoro Region will foster reliable access to water supply in industries.

"Investors can be assured of sustainable water supply in Tanzania, I therefore welcome them to invest in water sector," he said.

On the other hand at same occasion, World Bank senior water and sanitation specialist in East Africa Mr Ian Meizens revealed that the WB funded the government at least $350 million to support water projects in rural areas.

"WB will continue to support the government in implementing small and mega water projects in rural and urban areas," he said.

At same occasion, UTT Microfinance Chief executive officer Mr James Washima stated "My office is always committed to continue complementing government's efforts to implement water projects in the country,"