AUTHORITIES in Tanga Region have allocated 9bn/- (10 percent loan scheme) for 11 councils aimed at supporting women, youth, and people with disabilities.

Tanga Regional Commissioner ambassador Dr Batilda Burian univeiled   on Wednesday during the scheme's official launch, highlighting its role in fostering business growth and economic development.

Kilindi, Korogwe Town Council, Lushoto, Mkinga, Pangani, and Tanga City have begun processing applications, while Handeni, Korogwe District, Bumbuli, Muheza, and Handeni Town Council are finalising reviews.

Dr Burian urged community development officers to collaborate with stakeholders to educate beneficiaries and ensure compliance with loan requirements. The scheme allocates 4 percent each to women and youth, and 2 percent to people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in Kilindi District, Tanga Region will spend 4.73bn/-for water and sanitation projects in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

About  2.28bn/- will come from the central government and the National Water Fund, while 2.46 billion/-   will be sourced from donor funding.

RUWASA Kilindi acting manager, Engineer Philipo Bajuta, highlighted key projects, including the ongoing projects—Kwamaligwa/Gitu water project (6.99bn/-), Diburuma/Songe water project (22.96bn/-), Saunyi dam construction (3.39bn/-), and drilling of 19 wells (473m/-). New projects include Msente dam construction (2.35bn/-), Kwaluguru/Negero project (6.35bn/-) and Mnkonde Dam (2.67bn/-).

Donor-funded projects under the World Bank’s P for R financing programme  valued at 703.12 million/-   to support small-scale water sources in 19 villages. Villages which will benefit  from the programme include   Sangeni, Mswaki, and Makingo.