Tanzania’s president inaugurates $295mn water project after years of delays

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has inaugurated the long-awaited Same-Mwanga-Korogwe water project, a $295mn initiative to provide clean water to over 300,000 residents in the Kilimanjaro region, the Citizen reported on March 9.

The project, which sources water from the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam, faced nearly two decades of delays due to funding shortages and bureaucratic hurdles. 

“The project stalled for a very long time. But because I do not believe in failing. I directed my assistants to ensure that the project is finalised,” she said at the commissioning ceremony, underscoring her administration’s commitment to completing stalled projects. “Investors who require a reliable water supply will now have greater confidence in setting up businesses.”

The feasibility study was conducted in 2006, but construction only began in 2014. The first water flowed in 2024 after the government secured concessional loans to revive the initiative. “We worked hard to secure affordable loans, and now we have the funds that made it possible to complete the project,” Hassan said.

The initial phase has expanded supply capacity to 6mn litres per day, covering 38 villages in Same and Mwanga districts, with plans to extend it to Korogwe in the Tanga region. Hassan directed the Water Ministry to connect 10 additional villages near the dam, stressing the need to involve local communities in water conservation.

“The communities living around this project are its primary stakeholders because they serve as the first line of defence in protecting the water source,” she added.

Over 1,500 households have already been connected, with authorities urged to accelerate the process. Hassan also called for fair billing practices, directing the ministry to introduce pre-paid meters to ensure residents pay only for what they use.

“I know the Ministry still faces financial challenges but I instructed the Minister to find pre-paid water meters that will enable people to pay according to their usage,” she said.

Hassan reaffirmed that the government would not allow private companies to control water services while warning that this could drive up costs for consumers.

Water Minister Jumaa Aweso stated that the Nyumba ya Mungu water source has a capacity of 103mn litres, far exceeding the daily demand of 6mn litres in Same and Mwanga, making future expansion possible, adding that the project will permanently resolve shortages in the region.

As noted by Power Technology, Tanzania hosts several other significant dams, including Kidatu, Kihansi, and Mtera, which contribute to hydroelectric power generation and water supply, with work on the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project ongoing.