Uncompleted Kilindi water project invokes heated public debate

Heated argument over a multi-million-shilling unfinished water project in the newly inaugurated Kilindi District in Tanga involving local government authorities and residents of four villages in the area has erupted calling for upper authorities` intervention to find a solution.

The minister for Water, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa paid a visit to the area during the weekend and received reports that the 4,000 villagers living in Msente, Sangeni, Kolang`a and Mafuleta, had never tested tap water in their life and were still fetching the precious liquid from a distant small natural dam of Mkuyu despite the existing project.

According to the reports, the water project which was funded by the World Bank has remained non functioning for the past four years.

Reports have it that the company which had won the tender to dig deep wells and install the water pumps abandoned the project.

The information about the serious shortage in drinking water in the villages together with the spending of 276m/- for the unfinished water project bothered the minister so much that he directed concerned authorities in the council, ward and the villages to meet and discuss the way out.

The minister and his delegation recently concluded a seven-day working tour of Tanga Region that focused on giving clarification on the 2007/2008-budget.

``I was not aware of the failure of such a big water project in the area. The project has left so many people living under difficult conditions.

The district authorities had the obligation to monitor the progress of the project,� he said. He sadded: ``Concerned parties should now come together to work out a common solution to make clean water accessible to people``.

However, Jaila Ward councillor, Mussa Semdoe demanded explanation from the government that remained silent since the completion of the feasibility study of the unworkable project in 2004 followed by its partial implementation the following year and its total collapse without giving reasons for the failure.

He said completion of the project would accelerate development in the area as distribution of water pipes would have covered more than 4kms to ease hardship to people who spend so many hours in fetching water from the only source around the area of Mkuyu Dam.

It was alleged that the feasibility study was hurriedly carried out in the area so as to gain money without dwelling on the involved tasks ahead to ensure supply of clean and safe water.