THE government has extended 60bn/- for clearing payment arrears of contractors executing water supply projects in urban and rural areas.

Kundo Mathew, Deputy Minister for Water told the National Assembly yesterday that the ministry has also received 18bn/- for projects under the National Water Fund (NWF) making a total of 78bn/-.

Mathew was contributing to the Prime Minister’s Office budget estimates tabled in the National Assembly two weeks ago as he declared that ongoing water projects both in urban and rural areas shall be accomplished as per scheduled time of implementation.

He said that the Kidunda Multi-Purpose Project that includes construction of a reservoir among other features has been accomplished by 20 percent.

“Once accomplished, the reservoir will have a capacity of producing 190 billion liters which will be supplied in Dar es Salaam and the Coast region,” said Mathew.

According to him, the project also involves construction of a power generation plant for 20 megawatts.

It also involves production of a high voltage power transmission covering 101 kilometers from Kidunda to Chalinze power generation plant.

Special Seats MP Kunti Majala questioned the whereabouts of Farkwa dam to be constructed in Chemba district in Dodoma city to further benefit Chamwino, Bahi and Dodoma city residents.

In his response the deputy minister said that the government had already secured $125million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the implementation of the project.

"Regular increase in water demand due to rapid population growth has been attracting frequent changes in the project’s construction model,” said Mathew.

The ministry had on October 23, 2023 signed a one year contract with SU-YAPI Engineering Consulting Inc for conducting a feasibility study for the implementation of the Farkwa dam project with a production capacity of 440 million liters a year.

He said in THE government has extended 60bn/- for clearing payment arrears of contractors executing water supply projects in urban and rural areas. there are 78 ongoing water supply projects valued at 54bn/- that will benefit 400,900 people upon completion.

However, the government has in the current financial year allocated 312bn/- for implementation of water projects in the capital region.