The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu, has officially inaugurated the long-awaited Same-Mwanga-Korogwe Water Supply Project, which had been delayed for nearly two decades, reports Construction Review.
The project, constructed for $154 million, is expected to provide clean water to more than 300,000 residents in the Kilimanjaro region. It sources its water from the Nyumba Ya Mungu Dam and has faced several setbacks, including funding shortfalls and bureaucratic hurdles.
The project is designed to provide a reliable and safe water supply to the semi-arid lowlands in the western part of the Pare Mountains, covering the districts of Same, Mwanga, and Korogwe in Tanzania. It aims to improve the living conditions of the population by reducing waterborne diseases and supporting agricultural activities. The initiative is set to serve a large population across numerous villages and small towns. Its scope includes the construction of water intake facilities, distribution networks, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and reservoirs.
One of the key components of the project is the uptake of water from sources such as the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam. Additionally, the project features an extensive water distribution network spanning approximately 400 kilometers, along with the establishment of pumping stations and a water treatment plant. Several reservoirs have also been constructed, and water storage tanks have been provided to ensure sufficient supply.
Due to its large scale and cost, the project is being implemented in phases. Records indicate that both phase one and phase two have been carried out. However, the project has faced challenges, including contract terminations. It has received support from organizations such as the OPEC Fund for International Development. The Same-Mwanga Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, which oversees the project, is entirely owned by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Sunday, March 9, 2025, President Samia Suluhu recounted the numerous delays encountered during the project’s development. She emphasized her administration’s commitment to completing stalled projects to ensure that all citizens have access to essential services. According to the president, the feasibility study for this project was conducted in 2006, but construction did not commence until 2014. The first water from the project was supplied in 2024.
President Suluhu also highlighted her administration’s efforts to revive the project, stating that concessional loans had to be secured to facilitate its completion. The first phase of the project has significantly increased the overall water supply capacity to an impressive six million liters per day. It is expected to benefit 38 villages across the Same and Mwanga districts, improving access to clean water for thousands of households in the region.
