Dr Binilith Mahenge

Dar es Salaam city’s population growth is said to be the major reason for stalling the water project being undertaken by Chinese, better known as ‘Chinese pipes,’ the  House was told yesterday 
The Chinese company contracted for lay the pipes by the Dar es Salaam Water Supply Corporation, Dawasco, completed the assignment early in 2010 after two years on the job.
Dawasco authorities said the present volume of water which was  supplied to Dar es Salaam city residents was not adequate to cover the entire project area.

Sufficient water for both Coast and Dar es Salaam regions would be attained in 2012 after construction of five huge dams, three in Dar es Salaam and two in Coast regions, the House further heard.

Deputy minister for Water  Dr Binilith Mahenge told the House yesterday that the major cause for the stalling of the project was the city’s rapid population growth.
“The purpose of this project was to expand the water pipe system of about 970kilometres, establishing 250 kiosks of water for the 8000 customers. All will be accomplished after the expansion of the Lower Ruvu water plant has been completed,said Dr Mahenge.

The deputy minister was reacting to a supplementary question by Peramiho member of Parliament Jenister Mhagama, who had wanted to know why the Chinese pipes were not working to date.
Dr Mahenge told the House that when the expansion of the Lower Ruvu water plant was completed, production of water would reach 270 million litres from the current 180 million litres.
“A contractor is already on site expanding the plant by fifty percent of its current size. That work will be complete by March next year (2013),” he said.

“But we are also expanding a large water pipe that will be carrying water from the Lower Ruvu water plant to the city. The government has already allocated 116.4billionshillings for the  this project,” said the deputy minister.
Ubungo MP for Chadema , John Mnyika wanted to know the durability of the pipes after being left without water for long.

The deputy minister said there was a grand plan of improving water in the city and that would be used as a test for the pipes to check whether they area destroyed or not.
“It is only when water passes in the pipes that one can discover if the pipes are okay or they are not,” said Dr Mahenge.

In her basic question, Rita Mlaki, Special Seats – CCM, had wanted to know why Mikocheni ward, especially the TPDC and TTCL areas, have not been receiving water to date.
In response, the deputy minister said the area received water from Lower Ruvu water plant.
“Due to higher demand for water in the city compared to supply,  water rationing is done in many parts of the city, including the said areas,” said the minister.