GOVERNMENT WITNESSES SIGNING OF MINDU DAM EMBANKMENT RAISING PROJECT
By Thadei Hafigwa
The Morogoro Regional Government has adopted a strategy to address the impacts of climate change by raising the embankment of Mindu Dam, which is a major source of water for residents of Morogoro Municipality.
Government leaders in Morogoro Region witnessed the signing of a contract for the implementation of the Mindu Dam embankment-raising project between the Morogoro Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MORUWASA) and China-based Sinohydro Corporation.
The project is estimated to cost TZS 33 billion and is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Development Agency.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima, said Sinohydro emerged as the successful bidder to implement the project, noting that the company has extensive experience, having also participated in the construction of the Kidunda Dam Project.
Malima said the government is committed to ensuring that the project is implemented on time and in accordance with the required standards in order to strengthen the availability of clean and safe water for residents of Morogoro.
He also condemned environmental destruction within the Mindu Dam catchment area, stressing that all activities that threaten water sources must be stopped immediately.
He said residents who will be required to vacate areas within the dam's protected zone will be compensated in phases, with the government expecting to spend more than TZS 9.7 billion on the compensation exercise.
He further directed the Morogoro Regional Mining Office to ensure that mining activities within and around the Mindu Dam area are stopped in order to protect the environment and conserve the important water source.
For his part, the MORUWASA Managing Director, CPA Sais Kyejo, said the project will involve raising the dam embankment by 2.5 metres, a measure that will increase the dam's water storage capacity from 12.62 billion cubic litres to more than 22 billion cubic litres.
“This increase will help reduce the challenges of accessing clean and safe water among residents of Morogoro Region, while the project is expected to be completed within 18 months, as stipulated in the contract,” said CPA Kyejo.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the MORUWASA Board, Professor Moses Warioba, said the authority will continue improving water services to meet the growing demand resulting from population growth as well as increasing social and economic activities in Morogoro Region.
Professor Warioba said expansion of water infrastructure is essential to ensuring that residents have reliable access to clean and safe water, adding that MORUWASA will continue implementing sustainable strategies to strengthen water services for the development of the region.
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