Punish water infrastructure vandals - call

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INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY

Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) Communication Manager, Nelly Msuya

 Dar es salaam potential water users are calling on the government to enact stern water community control sanctions against most notorious companies and individuals who indulge in illegal water connections.

 

While the actual water demand for the country’s commercial city stood at 450 million litres daily, Dar es Salaam water authorities have been pumping at least 300 million litres and, shocking 60 per cent of the water is lost to theft.

 

The community is now up in arm considering massive investment by the government to expand water treatment plant as well as distribution networks to benefit  the locals.

 

They want all those implicated for sabotaging water infrastructures for either illegal connections or tempering with water electronic meters be heavily punished.

 

Speaking yesterday shortly after inspecting the ongoing expansion of the Upper Ruvu water intake, treatment plant and distribution networks, the group which comprises domestic users (household level), water vendors, and micro business enterprises agreed the 2m/- penalty is irrelevant.

 

“We have enough water to service the entire Dar es Salaam community … but some people are misusing the precious liquid,” Said Hassan Juma, a Chairman for Water Users Committee in Manzese.

 

He went on to note: “The matter of protecting water infrastructures should not be left for Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) all alone.”

Juma said those who are red-handed should be effectively charged and the community be empowered to take appropriate actions.

 

Dua Said a resident of Segerea in the outskirts of dare s Salaam said he had now become a good ambassador for anti-illegal water connections. Said who at a time was apprehended for the vice said it’s high time that those who were still stealing water to immediately stop.

 

Another Mabibo resident, Ahmed Hamza wanted the authorities to ensure all communities were connected with the important resource to avoid people being tempted to illegally connect water.

 

Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) Communication Manager, Nelly Msuya said the expansion for the Upper Ruvu plant had clocked 80 per cent while distribution network was at 50 per cent.

 

Shaibu Millanzi, a member for the Ministry of Water special committee explained to reporters in Mlandizi, Coast Region that the decision by the water authority and the ministry to take the group to the production site was to enable them understand what it takes to bring water to the city.

 

He said the group involved several stakeholders whereby  some used to illegally connect water for various purposes including vending, “this will enable them become appropriate ambassadors to protect the infrastructures.”