Water source pollution triggers crisis in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is experiencing a severe shortage of water with its main sources short by some 12 million litres due to environmental degradation.

Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein disclosed this during a meeting with Chama Cha Mapinduzi members at Kisiwani in Unguja.

“Water production has dropped from 60 million litres per day to 48 million litres and this will have severe impact on our residents,” he said.

He associated the shortage to a decrease in production at the Mwanyanya and Mtopepo sources where he said environmental degradation has caused the depletion.

He also attributed the problem to aged distribution infrastructure built during the colonial era.

Dr Shein said the government has already secured 64.4b/- from the Africa Development Bank to overcome the situation.

The money will be used in the rehabilitation of pipes to ease distribution of water to both Unguja and Pemba islands.

According to the Zanzibar leader, the project will benefit four regions in Unguja and Pemba.

To supplement the efforts, China will also drill nine water wells. And meanwhile, Zanzibar has a Japanese-supported project for strengthening water services.

“The government is working hard to ease the shortage of water to ensure that people have access to safe and clean drinking water,” Dr Shein emphasized.

He said his government’s intention is to ensure that 95 percent of urban dwellers have access to water and for75 percent of rural dwellers to do the same.

As the Zanzibar government struggles to ensure availability of water to its citizens, Members of Parliament (Union) have disapproved budget estimates for the Ministry of Water tabled by Minister Prof Jumanne Maghembe last week saying was not sufficient to meet the countries needs.

He had suggested via the budget that only 398bn/- be allocated for the 2013-2014 budget a value far less than last year’s 465bn/- despite tremendously increased demand.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN