Water supply company in plans to recover 137m/-

The newly inaugurated Water Board for Songea Water and Sewerage Authority, Souwasa has vowed to recover all outstanding debts amounting to 137m/-.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Songea yesterday, the outgoing chairman of Souwasa, Adam Mwendowasaa informed the chief guest who is also the Regional Commissioner of Ruvuma, Monica Mbega that the chronic debtors were government and private institutions.

Classifying the debtors to shed light on the outstanding bills, Mwendowasaa named three well-known institutions that he said continued to enjoy the services but remained unwilling to clear their water bills.

The institutions with the amount owed in brackets include the Tanzania People`s Defence Forces (61.174m), the office of Ruvuma Regional Police Commander, (14,838,721/-) and Songea Girls` Secondary School, (13,465,745)

The chairman previously complained about unsatisfactory quality of service provided by Souwasa and the limited number of consumers despite the determination to make sure that more people had access to their services.

He said the outstanding debts dating back to five years now undermined the progress of the firm.

For her part, Mbega urged the board members to work closely with their clients and find ways to resolve the impasse for the improvement of the sector.

`I call upon members of the newly inaugurated water board (Songea) to arrange meetings with heads of departments and institutions to ensure the settlement of their water bills before Souwasa disconnects the supply,` Mbega insisted.

She reminded the board members of their obligation to abide by the national water sector development programme, especially the sub-programme focusing on supply of clean water and improved sewerage systems in urban areas.

Other institutions on the list include Ruvuma regional hospital, (1.2325m/-), Songea District Office, (1.6m/-), Songea Medical College, (2,669,746/-) and Songea boys, (2,547,355/-).

Others are Songea District Council Office, (1,471,620/-), Songea Municipal director, (2,350,123/-), Prisons in Ruvuma, (3,120,889/-), Songea Teachers Training College, (1,346,640/-), Ruvuma Administrative Secretary, (11,122,563/-) and Ruvuma Day Secondary School (775,000/-).