The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equitable access to essential services after Longido District Commissioner, Salum Kalli, resolved a water pricing dispute involving residents of Engasurai Hamlet and the Methodist Church of Tanzania, which operates the local borehole.
Tensions had risen in recent weeks after residents objected to the initial charge of TZS 200 per bucket, arguing that the cost was unaffordable for many families and pastoralist communities who depend heavily on the borehole for daily household use and livestock.
In a community meeting held today, DC Kalli announced a new agreement that prioritizes both affordability and sustainability. Under the revised terms, residents will now pay TZS 100 per bucket of water.
For livestock keepers, each animal will be watered at a flat rate of TZS 100, regardless of the amount consumed—an arrangement designed to ease the burden on herders in the semi-arid district.
“Access to water is a fundamental right. As government, our responsibility is to ensure that the provision of essential services is both fair and sustainable,” Kalli told residents, noting that the church’s investment in building and operating the borehole must be balanced with the community’s ability to pay.
He emphasized that the borehole incurs regular operational expenses, including electricity and diesel used to pump water from the ground to storage tanks.
The agreed costs, he said, will help keep the facility functional without straining residents.
To strengthen long-term water access, Kalli revealed that the government has allocated TZS 600 million to upgrade the Kiserian Village borehole an investment expected to improve supply reliability and reduce potential future conflicts.
Local leaders praised the intervention. Engikaret Ward Councillor Mathayo Ndaiya thanked the DC for prioritizing community needs, while Kiserian Village Chairman Ndete Lengei Laizer urged residents to honor the new agreement for the sake of stability and uninterrupted service.
After the meeting, DC Kalli visited the Kiserian livestock market, engaging traders and reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing community concerns through dialogue and close cooperation.
