Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, has called on water basin boards across the country to strengthen cooperation and improve performance in order to enhance the sustainable management of the nation’s water resources, warning that fragmented efforts could undermine long-term water security and economic growth.
Speaking during a high-level working session with leaders and senior officials from various basin water boards held in Dodoma, the minister emphasised that effective collaboration is critical as the government pushes forward major reforms in the water sector aimed at meeting growing demand from households, agriculture, industry, and urban centres.
Aweso instructed board directors and staff to align their operations with the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Water (Tanzania), stressing that all activities should be guided by performance indicators that deliver measurable benefits to citizens and the national economy.
“You must work in line with the ministry’s core objectives, particularly the implementation of the National Water Grid strategy, which is central to strengthening water security across the country,” Aweso said. “Water basin boards are not just regulatory institutions; they are engines for national development.”
The National Water Grid initiative seeks to interconnect major water sources through large-scale infrastructure projects to ensure reliable supply in drought-prone regions and rapidly expanding urban areas. Aweso said the success of this ambitious plan depends heavily on strong coordination between basin authorities, regional administrations, and local communities.
He further urged basin boards to play a proactive role in driving economic growth by using water resources responsibly to support irrigation schemes, energy production, and industrial investment, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
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According to the minister, transparency and public engagement must be central to the boards’ operations. He encouraged officials to educate communities about the importance of protecting water sources, responsible water use, and the specific roles of basin authorities in safeguarding rivers, lakes, and underground reserves.
“People must understand why protecting water catchment areas matters,” he said. “When citizens are informed, they become partners in conservation rather than threats to these vital resources.”
Aweso also issued a strong warning against illegal drilling of boreholes and unregulated construction of dams, practices he said are increasingly putting pressure on water systems and damaging fragile ecosystems. He called for closer cooperation between government agencies, environmental stakeholders, and local leaders to enforce regulations and prevent environmental degradation.
The minister underscored the importance of integrity, institutional discipline, and professionalism within basin boards, urging leaders to remain accessible to communities in order to preserve public trust.
Experts in water resource management say Tanzania’s growing population and climate variability are placing unprecedented strain on freshwater systems, making coordinated governance more critical than ever.
Recent drought episodes in parts of central and northern Tanzania have already highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities and urban supply networks, reinforcing the government’s urgency in reforming water sector operations.
Aweso’s message reflects broader national efforts to modernise infrastructure while ensuring sustainability, as Tanzania balances development ambitions with environmental protection.
