Major water consumers in both the public and private sectors have been urged to settle outstanding bills for water user fee to ensure the availability of adequate financial resources for the sustainable management, conservation and protection of water sources.
The call was made by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment, Hon. Jackson Kiswaga (MP), during the committee’s inspection of ongoing dredging works and riverbank protection interventions along the Lumemo River in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.
Hon. Kiswaga emphasised that timely payment for water user fee is essential not only for the protection and development of water sources but also for strengthening interventions aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, of them, flooding in resdential areas.
He noted that river dredging is a continuous work that requires sustained financial investment to safeguard communities against the risks associated with rising water levels and overflowing river channels.
He cited Ifakara town as one of the areas where recurrent flooding has significantly disrupted residents’ daily activities and livelihoods.
The dredging and construction of protective embankments along vulnerable sections of the Lumemo River have so far cost approximately TSh 294 million. However, an estimated TSh 2.2 billion will be required to complete the planned interventions along the prone areas.
During the visit, Hon. Kiswaga also led the committee in inspecting the 28-Town Water Supply Project, whose implementation has reached 95 per cent completion.
He called for expedited delivery of imported equipment and specialised technical materials required for the project, stressing that any delays could affect the completion timeline and postpone access to reliable water services for residents in six wards of Kilombero District.
Upon completion, the project is expected to have a production capacity of 20 million litres of water per day, compared with the current daily demand of approximately 10 million litres.
Hon. Kiswaga further directed local government authorities to strengthen community participation in the protection and conservation of water sources.
He noted that the successful completion of the project is expected to achieve 100 per cent water service coverage in the targeted areas.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, Eng. Mwajuma Waziri, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Water, assured the committee that all recommendations and directives issued during the inspection would be addressed.
She highlighted the commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of project equipment and materials, as well as engaging major water users and other stakeholders who rely on water services for their various development activities as soonest as possible.
The engagement will focus on identifying practical and sustainable mechanisms for settling outstanding water bills.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to addressing the committee’s recommendations to facilitate the timely completion of the project and strengthen the sustainable management of water resources.
