Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, has ordered authorities in Mbeya Region to ensure the completion of the long-awaited Rujewa water project by September 2025.
During his recent visit to the Rujewa site in Mbarali District, Aweso gave a no-nonsense directive: construction must now proceed day and night, without pause, until the project is delivered. The facility, currently at 35% completion, is expected to provide 24/7 water access to over 95% of households in the area once finished.
“The people of Rujewa have waited too long,” Aweso told engineers and contractors at the scene. “Water is a right, not a privilege. We’re here to ensure this promise is fulfilled—and on time.”
His remarks echoed national goals outlined by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has made access to clean water a key pillar of her development agenda.
The Rujewa water supply system will mark a game-changing shift for this rural Tanzanian community. For years, residents have relied on seasonal rivers and distant wells, with water only reaching taps twice a week. Once complete, the project will not only end these shortages, but also improve public health, support agriculture, and ease the burden on women and children, who are often tasked with collecting water from afar.
Engineer Mwajuma Waziri, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water, accompanied the minister during the inspection. She was firm in her expectations: the contractor must stick to the agreed timeline and quality standards or face legal consequences.
“We won’t accept excuses. This project must be delivered to the people,” she told local media.
In a welcomed gesture, Minister Aweso also directed that local youth be given priority for employment opportunities in the project. This approach aims to fast-track progress while boosting local income and skill development—goals aligned with Tanzania’s broader push to reduce youth unemployment.
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The project also aligns with the government’s goals under Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): clean water and sanitation for all. Tanzania, a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, continues to make infrastructure development a central policy area.
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) will monitor implementation to ensure that service delivery meets national standards. EWURA has become instrumental in regulating both public and private utilities, pushing for transparency, accountability, and efficiency across Tanzania’s water sector.
Minister Aweso assigned the District Commissioner of Mbarali to supervise construction work closely, reporting daily updates directly to the ministry. He also promised that delays would no longer be tolerated under any circumstance.
Rujewa, like many parts of rural Tanzania, has long faced challenges tied to limited water infrastructure. When water doesn’t flow, students stay home, crops fail, and hospitals run without sanitation. But as the steel pipes stretch across the dry earth and reservoirs take shape, hope rises with each brick laid.
For families in Rujewa, this project represents more than just infrastructure—it’s about restoring dignity, improving daily life, and opening the door to opportunities that were once out of reach.
With just a few months to go, the race is on—not just to beat the deadline, but to deliver clean, safe water to the people who need it most.
