Ruvu. President John Magufuli has today launched the refurbished
Upper Ruvu Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Mlandizi, Kibaha District in
the Coast Region. The project is worth Sh87 billion which is a soft loan
from Exim Bank of India.
Speaking during the launch,
Dr Magufuli said the project is part of the implementation of the 2015
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) election manifesto. He said the expansion
aimed at increasing water supply by up to 95 percent in Dar es Salaam
and Coast regions by 2020.
"I'm happy that the project
has been completed… it’s a good move that deserves recognition, however
the Ministry of Water and Irrigation should work on the key weaknesses
that distorts the reputation of ministry," he said.
President
Magufuli also directed all government institutions owed by water
utilities across the country, to clear their areas or be disconnected
from water services. He also insisted that water authorities across the
country pay their power bills or risk being disconnected as well.
He
was responding to a concern raised by the minister for Water and
Irrigation Eng Gerson Lwenge who said the water utilities owes public
institutions an outstanding bill amounting to Sh 40 billion.
However, the ministry also owes Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) an outstanding bill amounting to Sh8 billion.
Earlier, minister Lwenge said the project was among seven other strategic projects aimed at increasing water supply network.
Water from Upper Ruvu is pumped to reservoirs at Kibamba and Kimara through four main pipelines.
Beneficiaries of the plant are residents of Mlandizi, Visiga, Kongowe, Kiluvya, Kibamba, Mbezi and Kimara.
Others are from Changanyikeni, Ubungo, Kibangu, Makuburi, Tabata and Segerea.