ACT Wazalendo has urged the government to immediately end water rationing in Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country, saying millions of Tanzanians should not continue bearing the cost of poor management and delays in the implementation of water projects.
In a statement issued on Friday, the opposition party said it had observed worsening shortages of clean and safe water in several parts of the country, where some residents reportedly receive water only once a week, during late-night hours, or not at all.
The party argued that the unreliable supply has forced households to spend more on purchasing water from vendors while disrupting businesses, schools, health facilities and other essential social and economic activities.
According to ACT Wazalendo, complaints have been reported from several areas served by the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (DAWASA), including Ubungo, Kimara, Mbezi, Kinyerezi, Tabata, Kurasini, Tegeta, Bunju, Manzese, Gongo la Mboto, Kigamboni and Makumbusho.
It added that similar challenges have been reported in Njombe, Mwanza, Dodoma, Pwani and Mara regions—including Butiama, Rorya and Bunda districts—as well as Mufindi North in Iringa Region, where residents are still waiting for the implementation of the RDO Water Project.
The party attributed the persistent water shortages to weak project supervision, poor management, misuse of public funds and the failure to hold officials accountable for losses in the water sector.
ACT Wazalendo also alleged that the Ministry of Water was pursuing plans to introduce greater private sector participation in public water infrastructure through public-private partnerships, a move it claimed would benefit a few individuals at the expense of the wider public. The government had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The party cited reports by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), saying they have repeatedly highlighted ageing infrastructure, significant non-revenue water losses, inadequate production capacity and weaknesses in the management of major water projects.
It referred to the Same–Mwanga–Korogwe Water Project, valued at more than TZS 400 billion, claiming that nearly 70 percent of the water produced by the scheme is lost because of infrastructure inefficiencies.
"The challenge is not the availability of water or funding, but shortcomings in implementation and accountability," the statement said.
ACT Wazalendo called on the government to restore reliable water supply on a 24-hour basis, complete all stalled water projects and take legal action against individuals found responsible for the misuse of public resources.
It also urged authorities to hold accountable the management and boards of water utilities that have failed to deliver services, particularly DAWASA, suspend any plans to privatise water services and increase public investment in water infrastructure.
The party further proposed that all resources from the Water Fund, including TZS 207.01 billion allocated in the 2024/25 financial year and revenue collected in 2025/26, be directed towards expanding and rehabilitating water infrastructure.
ACT Wazalendo concluded by saying that access to clean and safe water is a basic right and urged the government to prioritise reliable service delivery over new commitments.
