Establish water grid–Samia

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the establishment of a national water grid to guarantee water security and reliability, similar to the national electricity grid.

Speaking during the climax of Water Week 2025 in Dar es Salaam yesterday, where she also launched the National Water Policy 2022, Version 2025, President Samia spoke on the pressing need of establishing a structured water distribution framework.

“Whether the water comes from Lake Victoria or Lake Nyasa, there must be designated centres where water is collected and its distribution is technologically monitored. This will enhance water security, ensure proper management and guarantee availability,” she said.

President Samia instructed Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, to include the national water grid in Vision 2050. While acknowledging that the project might not be fully realised by 2030, she stressed that significant groundwork had already been laid.

The next step is to connect various zones, including the Northern and Central zones, with central collection points to enhance water service sustainability.

The President also underscored the importance of responsible water usage, criticising individuals who profit from water for various activities but evade paying their bills. She warned that such practices undermine the sustainability of regional water authorities.

Recognising innovation, President Samia commended exhibitors who showcased technologies enabling users to access water based on their financial capacity.

She urged the Ministry of Water to collaborate with the innovators and distribute their technologies nationwide.

“Engage startups, allocate them to work in different regions, provide resources, support them and offer public education to ensure timely solutions to water challenges instead of relying on imported machinery,” President Samia said.

President Samia reiterated the need to enhance water security. She acknowledged the efforts made to extract and distribute water but emphasised the importance of protecting water sources.

“Protecting these sources is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Water alone but of every Tanzanian. Infrastructure that delivers water to people must also be safeguarded to ensure safe, reliable and sustainable water supply,” she added.

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She further stressed the importance of securing adequate financial resources to ensure uninterrupted water services. While constructing infrastructure is one aspect, maintaining it is another crucial element.

She commended Tanga Urban Water Supply & Sanitation Authority (TANGA-UWASA) for issuing a green bond to secure funding, ensuring the completion of all water projects in Tanga region.

Additionally, she urged experts in water and environmental management to explore climate change funds to support water projects.

President Samia further said there is a need to invest in rainwater harvesting, noting that new building construction should incorporate rainwater harvesting infrastructure, calling for inter-ministerial collaboration in constructing large reservoirs instead of isolated small dams. She acknowledged that the updated water policy addresses emerging challenges that were previously overlooked, such as population growth, food security and climate change.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to allocating sufficient funds to the water sector, not just to ease the burden on women but also to sustain national development.

“No blue, no green and therefore no nation. Water is the economy, social welfare, national security and human survival. That is why water is often compared to a good leader in the world,” she said.

World Bank Country Director for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Nathan Belete, praised Tanzania’s commitment to water sector improvements, stating that the World Bank was proud to support the National Water Policy.

“The WB’s current commitment to Tanzania’s water sector has reached almost 900 million US dollars (2.38tri/-), including 650 million US dollars (1.59tri/-) for the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme.

This programme has significantly improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in rural areas,” he said.

Mr Belete highlighted that Tanzania’s water programme is among the top three globally in expanding water and sanitation access over the past three years, making it the bestperforming country in East and Southern Africa in terms of water accessibility.

During the event, President Samia was honoured with two awards. She received the Water Game Changer Award from the Ministry of Water and the Pan-Africa Water Sanitation and Hygiene Champion Award from WaterAid UK. The latter also appointed her as a patron of the Pan-Africa Water and Sanitation Champion initiative.