The Minister of Water, Jumaa Aweso has mentioned the ministry's five priorities for the financial year 2023/2024 including continuing with the maintenance of water sources including identifying and setting boundaries.

Aweso said this in parliament in Dodoma yesterday when he presented the estimate of income and expenditure of the ministry for the financial year 2023/2024.

The Ministry has requested the Parliament to approve more than Sh 756.2 billion and of that, Sh 695.83 billion is for development.

407 billion Shs equal to 58.50 percent of the budget are domestic funds and 288.765 billion Shs equal to 41.50 percent are foreign funds.

Aweso said apart from protecting and announcing water sources in the Government Gazette, he also strengthened water quality management.

Aweso said another priority is to complete the construction and renovation and expansion of ongoing projects including water projects in 28 cities.

He also said to continue with the construction of the strategic Kidunda dam and start the construction of the Farkwa Dam and design and implement water projects using reliable sources including large lakes and large rivers to deliver them to areas with severe water shortages.

Speaking about the implementation plan, he said the ministry's implementation plan for the year 2023/24 has involved various stakeholders including MPs and Local Government Authorities in identifying priority projects.

He said the program is also focused on the management and development of water resources where in the year 2023/24, a total of 84 sources will be demarcated and declared as isolated areas.

"The government will also conduct an inspection of the waste disposal infrastructure in mines, factories and other areas," said Aweso and explained that in the construction of dams, the government will also continue to strengthen the rainwater harvesting system and start the implementation of the construction of one dam for every district with suitable environment for the construction.

"Also increase the speed of construction of medium-sized water dams, especially in drought areas and build strategic dams," he noted.

He also said the management of water quality and water supply and sanitation services in rural areas and strengthening water supply and sanitation services in cities.

In addition, he said that in the year 2023/24, the government has planned to build 27 medium-sized dams and conduct a feasibility study for the repair and construction of medium-sized dams for harvesting and storing rainwater.

Regarding the management of water resources, he said the ministry will repair 135 stations and build 51 stations to monitor the trend of water resources, issue 450 water use permits, issue 30 sewage disposal permits, create 10 water user communities as well as build community capacity. 87 and created nine committees of the committee.

He also said that the ministry will continue to manage the drilling of water wells, run platforms and working groups of cross-sector water resources stakeholders and strengthen the management of water resources.

"Also strengthen the institutions that manage water resources in the country and evaluate the economic value of water."

Regarding water quality management, Aweso said the ministry will continue to strengthen the review and monitoring of water quality in 2,091 water sources;

4,600 urban and rural water supply schemes as well as 150 sewage systems and enable five laboratories to obtain accreditation.

Also verifying the quality of water cleaning and treatment drugs before purchase and during use, facilitating the preparation and implementation of Water Safety Plans that withstand climate change for 34 Water and Sanitation Authorities and Water Service Providers Level of 100 communities.

He also said to provide education about water quality standards for various uses and continue to strengthen water quality laboratories by providing them with tools as well as building and renovating laboratory buildings.