US$145 Million Three-Year Project Set to End Water Woes in Zanzibar’s North Unguja

Water, a basic necessity for human life, will no longer remain a scarce resource for residents of North Unguja, Zanzibar, as the government of the Tanzania archipelago has signed a contract for the implementation of a major water infrastructure project aimed at improving access to reliable and safe water in the region.

The planned three-year project, which will incorporate modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology to monitor water production and distribution systems, will be undertaken by Oman’s National Energy Centre (NEC).

The contract for the implementation of the second phase of the project has been signed between the Zanzibar government and NEC. The project is expected to cost up to US$145 million (equivalent to TZS 382 billion) upon completion.

The project will involve drilling 59 boreholes, constructing water storage tanks and expanding distribution pipelines to improve water supplies in targeted villages and Shehias.

Speaking during the contract-signing ceremony, Acting Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals, Mr Sharif Ali Sharif, challenged ministry officials to closely supervise implementation to ensure quality work, timely completion and the achievement of the government’s objectives.

He emphasised the need to monitor the quality of construction materials, saying that the use of durable materials would help ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for residents.

He urged officials overseeing the project to adopt effective implementation strategies and maintain close supervision to support the government’s goal of providing water services around the clock.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals, Mr Joseph Kilangi, said the project was initially scheduled for completion within three years, but the government intended to shorten the implementation period to between two and two-and-a-half years.

He said the project would expand water production and distribution capacity, enabling more communities in North Unguja to benefit from improved access to water.

Mr Kilangi said the project would also incorporate modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology to monitor water production and distribution systems.

The technology is expected to help operators identify faults affecting boreholes, electrical systems and pipelines, making it easier to detect problems and carry out maintenance, he said.

He called on residents to cooperate with project implementers by allowing pipelines to pass through their properties where necessary and protecting the infrastructure after installation.

NEC representative, Mr Abdallah Abadir, welcomed the government’s decision to award the company the second phase of the project, describing it as a demonstration of confidence built through its work during the first phase.

“The continued partnership provides an opportunity to build on previous achievements and expand efforts to improve water services for Zanzibar residents,” he said.

Mr Abadir called for cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that the project met the required standards, was completed on schedule and delivered its intended benefits.

The investment is expected to strengthen water infrastructure in North Unguja through the expansion of boreholes, storage facilities and distribution networks, improving the availability and reliability of water supplies in targeted communities.