Sh1tr India loan to fund water supply projects
What you need to know:
Tanzania expects a soft loan amounting to Sh1.14 trillion from the government of India for implementation of water supply projects in 26 towns in the country, the Minister for Water, Prof Makame Mbarawa has confirmed. Large projects currently underway through funds from India include the water supply project from Lake Victoria to Tabora, Nzega, Igunga and 89 villages worth Sh604 billion, and the Dar es Salaam-Chalinze water supply project.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania expects to secure a soft of Sh1.14 trillion from the government of India for implementation of water supply projects in 26 towns, the Minister for Water, Prof Makame Mbarawa, has confirmed.
According to the minister, the government plans to hire a consultant who will conduct a survey of all the selected towns where the projects will be implemented, do comprehensive evaluation and prepare a tender document.
“We will announce the tender for the projects upon the completion of the evaluation process. Interested contractors will be invited to apply for the tender,” Prof Mbarawa told The Citizen yesterday.
“I want the process to hire the contractor to be completed by September this year so that the projects can start as soon as possible,” the minister said.
He added that the government wants to improve water service coverage up to 90 per cent and 85 per cent in urban and rural areas, respectively, by 2020.
Large projects currently underway through funds from India include the water supply project from Lake Victoria to Tabora, Nzega, Igunga and 89 villages being implemented at a cost of Sh604 billion and the Dar es Salaam-Chalinze water supply project.
The deal for the loan was first revealed by the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Sandeep Arya, at a ceremony to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme held at the Indian High Commission in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
The colourful event was graced by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Prof James Mdoe, and attended by ITEC programme beneficiaries from various Tanzanian higher learning institutions, including the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT).
“There is a lot to celebrate about India-Tanzania partnership and cooperation which is becoming very substantive,” said Mr Arya.
He revealed plans by the Indian High Commission to hold an artificial limb fitment camp for about 500 people with disabilities at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) in May this year in support of healthcare efforts of the government of Tanzania. Referring to the positive impact of the ITEC programme, Mr Arya said the number of Tanzanian officials and specialists who attended technical training and capacity building programmes in India last year was over 500.
The courses pertain to areas such as ICT including computer software and services, healthcare, financial tools, entrepreneurship development, managing water resources, energy and power technologies, agricultural techniques, small scale industries, rural development, management skills and human resources planning.
“Over the years, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of Tanzanians attending the India-sponsored ITEC Programme courses,” said Prof Mdoe when he delivered his opening remarks during the ceremony.
“These courses are very important and have a pivotal role in driving the socioeconomic development of our country.”
India and Tanzania signed an Agreement on Friendship and Technical, Economic and Scientific Cooperation in 1966 within the framework of which ITEC Cooperation Programme has been extended to Tanzania since 1972.
