Monduli district builds a 270m/- water dam

Monduli District in Arusha region has spent 270million/- on the construction of rain water dam in Sepeku Ward to serve 30,000 villagers during the dry season.

The Ward Councillor, Lota Sanare, said at a meeting called to thank the villagers for their support and cooperation in the construction of the dam that they deserved praise for their efforts and determination to build the dam.

He said the villagers withstood many setbacks including the first dam built in 1974 at a cost of 70 million/- which was washed away by floods, and the second dam which was constructed in 2003 at a cost of 120 million/-, but also washed away by floods.

Sanare said the villagers were not discouraged by the setbacks and went ahead to contribute money and material items towards construction of a dam for the third time in 2006. The dam was now ready to be filled with water when the rains start.

He said, the dam which is named Ngamurya, built at Arkaria village in the district, can serve 30,000 people from Lendikinya, Lashaine, Leporko, Mti Mmoja, Arkatan, Simangori, Meserani and Monfuli villages.

The dam has the capacity to last for three dry years and will benefit pastoralists in the villages, who are often forced to move their livestock many kilometres away in search of water.

The Councilor asked the pastoralists to desist from allowing their animals hoof on the dam`s ridges to avoid damaging and destroying the walls of the dam.

He told them that their monetary, material and physical efforts put in the construction of the dam will be wasted if they did not safeguard it against destruction by their animals.