Dawasa to collect Sh12bn from next April
What you need to know:
By increasing distribution in areas, which face water scarcity, the government through the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) is looking forward to increasing revenue collection to Sh12 billion per month by April, 2019.
Dar es Salaam. The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) expects to collect at least Sh12 billion per month come April, 2019 after increasing distribution of clean water in the city.
The minister for Water, Prof Makame Mbarawa, made the remark on December 17, 2018 during his tour of areas that have been experiencing water scarcity for a long time.
Prof Mbarawa said currently Dawasa collects Sh10 billion per month, but with the increased government effort to solve water challenges, more revenues will be collected and that water scarcity will be history.
"We want to increase the number of people in the Dawasa system because that is every citizen's right. We also believe that the government will benefit through increased revenues,” he said.
According to him the fifth phase government manifesto aims at increasing water distribution to 95 per cent in the city by 2020.
He added: “Currently, only 78 per cent of people living in Dar es Salaam have access to clean water, but before 2020 we want to reach 95 per cent."
During his tour, the minister promised the residents of Bonyokwa Ward that they will start receiving clean water within the next two weeks.
The process of digging water channels has already started and also water pipes are being laid.
Abdul Abdul, a resident at Bonyokwa, said: "We appreciate that the government has decided to bring water in this area. We have suffered for a long time because in this areas a bucket of water is sold at between Sh300 and Sh500."
At Tabata, the government has used about Sh113 million to build a 150,000 litre water tank that will be used to distribute water to people living at Kisukuru and Magoza streets.
