The ACT Women's Fortress has issued a statement calling for urgent government action to address the ongoing water shortage in Dar es Salaam, which has now persisted for nearly four months.
The statement emphasizes the severe consequences the shortage is having on residents, particularly women and children, who are often burdened with the responsibility of fetching water for their families.
The water crisis has led to outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases, as well as significant economic strain. Many families have been forced to purchase water from vendors at inflated prices, with some spending over TZS 2,000 daily.
Dar es Salaam, which has the highest water demand in the country, is currently facing a shortfall of more than 20 million liters of water each day.
Despite being the region that contributes the most revenue to Tanzania’s national budget, the city’s residents continue to struggle with inadequate water supply.
The ACT Women's Fortress has strongly criticized the government, particularly the ruling party, CCM, for its failure to resolve the crisis.
The statement points to the delayed rehabilitation of the DAWASA water source and the reduced output from the Ruvu Chini source as key factors contributing to the water shortage.
While Dar es Salaam generates significant revenue – with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) collecting 13 trillion Shillings from the region between June and December 2024 – this has not translated into meaningful investments in water infrastructure.
The statement also references a recent warning from the Prime Minister, urging citizens to heed advice from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) regarding reduced rainfall.
The ACT Women's Fortress contends that the government has failed to adequately prepare for such conditions, leaving Dar es Salaam vulnerable to the severe effects of the water crisis.
The ACT Women's Fortress calls for immediate emergency measures to ensure that residents have access to clean and safe water.
The party stresses that these measures should not be delayed while waiting for rainfall to address the shortage.
Additionally, the statement calls for long-term solutions, including the development of sustainable water sources and the improvement of water conservation systems.
With the Ruvu Chini source yielding less water, it is vital that the government takes proactive steps to store water during periods of heavy rainfall for use in drier times.
Finally, the ACT Women's Fortress demands that legal action be taken against those responsible for the negligence that has led to the current crisis.
Holding individuals accountable is seen as essential to ensuring that such a water shortage does not happen again in the future.
In conclusion, the ACT Women's Fortress urges the government to act swiftly to alleviate the suffering of Dar es Salaam residents, ensuring that access to clean, safe water is a priority for the nation.