The government seeks a consultant for carrying out a feasibility study for the Second Phase of Lake Victoria Water Project. The current phase is expected to benefit 96 villages in Shinyanga region.

Water deputy minister Binilith Mahenge unveiled the project plan in Parliament here yesterday when responding to a basic question by Ahmed Salim (Solwa, CCM) who had wanted to know when the implementation of the second phase of the giant water project would begin.

The deputy minister informed the House that the project would benefit villages within 12 kilometers on both sides of the main water pipe taking water from Lake Victoria to Shinyanga region.

“We have already announced the tender to get a consultant who will conduct a feasibility study for the project. It will benefit 96 villages. We expect to get one [consultant] in the 2012/2013 financial year, so that construction works could begin in the 2013/2014 financial year,” Mahenge said.

He said that the first phase of the project, which benefited both Kahama and Shinyanga districts focused on providing water to 54 villages situated within five kilometers on both sides of the main pipe.

The deputy minister mentioned some of the beneficiary areas, as Misungwi, Kwimba, Shinyanga, and Kahama.

Mahenge explained that President Jakaya Kikwete had directed that in the second phase, the coverage of villages benefiting from the project be extended to 12 kilometers on both sides of the main pipe.

He said in implementing the project, the government has already disbursed 100m/- to water authorities in Shinyanga and Kahama.

Mahenge said already five villages in Kwimba district, namely Kawekamo, Chasalawi, Muhalo, Bupamwa and Sanga were getting water.

He added that pipes and other water connectors had already been purchased for connecting Nyang’honge, Ndambi and Chibuje to the main pipe.