Dar to emulate Durban in discharging sewage

DAR ES SALAAM will spend over 820m/- to stop the city’s sewerage flow into the Indian Ocean, treat water and recycling the same for industrial use by employing the same system used in Durban, South Africa.

The Minister for Water, Prof Jumanne Maghembe, said that under the new set up to cost 409 million US dollars, all sewage that flow freely from Dar es Salaam households and institutions before being channelled into the sea will be stopped and recycled before the end of this year.

The Durban metro water treatment system is cited to be among the most successful water treatment and recycling structure in Africa and Dar es Salaam is soon going to emulate that.

Also mapped along the Indian Ocean coastline, Durban is said to have the cleanest beaches on the continent. Prof Maghembe made the comments when he inaugurated the new Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) Board of Directors in Arusha, stressing the need to boost water supply in rural areas.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engineer Bashir Mrindokom, said the government plans to spend 1.4 billion US dollars (about 2.24tri/-) to improve water supply in Dar es Salaam, with focus on ensuring that the city gets access to safe and clean water by 100 per cent come 2016.

“As of now, the average access to safe and clean water in urban areas stands at 89 per cent and 58 per cent in rural communities but even in this it is only Dar es Salaam which has 69 per cent,” he revealed. He said the government’s plan is also to ensure that rural communities are covered by at least 75 per cent by 2016.

The new DAWASA board which the minister launched here is led by Dr Eve Hawa Sinare as its chairperson who said all board members have been given training on how to properly conduct their duties.

Others on the board Mr Archard Mutalemwa, the DAWASCO Chief Executive Officer, retired Major General Samwel Kitundu, Paul Elias Sulley, Engineer Peter Chisawillo, Prof Felix Mtalo and Mr Laston Msongole.

Others are Mr Abbas Mtemvu, Alhaj Abdallah Bulembo, Mr Mgeni Baruani as well as Dr James Wanyancha. The authority Management on the other hand comprises of the Director of Human resource and Administration, Ms Mary Ntukula and Acting Director of Finance, Mr Sais Kyejo.

OP Daily News