From The Arusha News Reporter in Tanga.
The Minister for Water, Mr Jumaa Awesu, has called for urgent evaluation of the implementation stage of all the 1,400 major water supply projects countrywide, which are scheduled for completion in the 2025/26 financial year.
Awesu gave the directive in Mkinga District, Tanga region, early this week when receiving a consignment of water pipes worth over Sh 7.0bn meant for the Horohoro Water Dam in the area. He directed the Permanent Secretary, Ms Fatuma Mumba, to ensure the process was completed as soon as possible. Only five months remain before the year ends.
The Water Sector Development Programme Phase III (WSDP III), concludes on June 30, this year. The Minister’s directive was seen as a critical push to avoid carryovers to the next stage, as the government has significantly increased the water budget to over Sh 1.0 trillion in fiscal 2025/26. The move was to ensure no project stalls.
However, the Sh 7.2bn Mkinga–Horohoro project was said to be behind by roughly two years, prompting the minister to make a fact-finding visit. The pipes are expected to cover the remaining 23 km of the project’s water supply network and hopefully solve the water scarcity problem in the coastal area that borders Kenya.
Upon its completion by July 5, this year, the project would have met the demand for over 57,000 residents in 37 villages and increase access to clean and safe water supply in Mkinga District to 80 per cent from the current 60 per cent.
