THE government has said that the availability of water services in Momba District, Songwe Region, is expected to increase from 51 percent this year to 87 percent by December 2025.

According to reports, 133,612 people, equal to 51 percent of the population in 30 villages in the district, access clean and safe water services from wells and piped water from various sources.

Deputy Minister for Water Maryprisca Mahundi made the remarks on Wednesday during a ceremony for official handover of a well to Ipumpila Village residents. The event took place ahead of World Water Day which was yesterday.

Mahundi said the government spent 41m/- on the well, including construction of necessary infrastructure to supply water.

She said that during the sixth phase government, Momba District has carried out 17 projects worth approximately 5.11bn/-.

“These projects have improved availability of water in Momba District by 32.53 percent from 18.47 percent in 2020 and set to reach 51 percent in 2025,” she said.

Beatus Katabazi, Manager of Momba Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, said the project is one of the small water infrastructure projects that being built in Momba District at a cost of 285m/-, out of 500m/- sent to the district by the government.

Mateo Chikoti, Momba District Council Chairman, commended the government for its efforts to resolve water shortage in the district. 

He said that while there were only six villages with access to water in 2019, a total of 133,612 individuals currently have access to safe and clean water services.

However, the government still implements projects in various wards, including Msangano (8 villages), Kamsamba (two villages) and Isanga (two villages) that were budgeted for in the 2023/2024 financial year. Additionally, the government continues drilling deep wells in the wards whereby more than 13.7bn/- will be spent on the projects.