Tanzania: Ministry pledges increase of budget for rural water programme

Updated - Sunday 18 October 2009

Development partners and stakeholders have recommended an increase of funds allocation from the Treasury to the Water Sector Development Programme in an attempt to achieve set targets.

The programme’s cost stands at US$ 950 million (€ 644 million). The government will provide about 26 per cent of the budget, while the rest will be sought from development partners. When implemented fully, about 4 million people in rural areas would get access to clean water.

Responding to the recommendation, the minister for Water and Irrigation Development, Prof. Mark Mwandosya, said his ministry plans to increase its budget in 2010 to meet the programme’s financial needs.

The minister for Regional Administration and Local Governments, Ms Celina Kombami, said that the time allocated to execute the programme was too short, necessitating close cooperation between the Government and other stakeholders. She added that there was also not enough competent staff in local government.

Related news:

Sector reforms: lessons and challenges from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, Source Weekly, 19 Feb 2009
Africa: Lake Victoria Region Water and Sanitation Initiative, Source Weekly, 06 Feb 2009

Contact: Director Water Resources, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, , tel.: +255-022-2451479, dpp@maji.go.tz

Source: Bernard Lugongo, The Citizen / allAfrica.com, 05 Oct 2009