Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene September 2018 Vol.13 No.4 | Page 8

NEWS in brief
urban and agricultural, and the DWS. Agreement was
reached among the users for a gradual reduction in the
overall restrictions, including reducing the urban usage
restriction from 45% to 40% of what it would normally be
allocated.
Rainfall remains highly variable, and while May and June
saw rainfall close to that of an average year, July had very
poor rainfall. This improved somewhat in August and so far
in September the positive trend continues.
Moderate proposals for interim relief
The relaxation of restrictions is a moderate proposal that is
based on a hydrological risk assessment that indicates that it
is safe to do so at the level of risk that is agreed upon. Of
course, the amended Level 5 restriction guidelines for water
usage will apply and we are confident that the significant
behavioural change that we’ve seen pertaining to water
conservation will prevail to a large extent.
The DWS undertook to respond by 31 August 2018, but
have yet to do so. It appears that the DWS is reluctant to
make any adjustments before the end of the hydrological
year at the end of October 2018, when assessments are
usually made.
The City believes, with the full support of the other
catchment users such as other municipalities and the
agricultural sector, that an interim adjustment is fully
justified and appropriate at this stage.
The City will thus move from the current Level 6B restricts
to Level 5 restrictions as from 1 October 2018. A further
reassessment of future adjustments will be made once
the DWS makes a ruling for the new hydrological year or
advises on an interim relaxation.
The key elements of Level 5 restrictions are as follows:
• An increase in the personal water use limit from 50
litres per person per day to 70 litres per person per
day
Around Africa
Tanzania
Mega Project to End Ukerewe Water Woes
By Jonathan Musa
Ukerewe — Sixty thousand residents of Ukerewe District
must be smiling broadly after being assured of clean water
access, thanks to a water project commissioning in the area
on Wednesday September 04.
President John Magufuli, who
is on a tour of the Lake Zone,
commissioned Sh10.9 billion
in the area yesterday during a
ceremony, which was held at
Nebuye village in the area.
The project, which is funded
President John Magufuli
by the African Development
Bank and the Tanzanian
government, has the capacity of producing 8.6 million litres
of water daily, which is twice the amount Ukerewe needs.
Speaking during the event, the head of state said the
government was also planning to build a 12-kilometre
tarmac road from Nansio to Ukerewe.
He promised to construct more industries in the island to
boost productivity, adding that they will create employment
opportunities for the youth in the area. “Protect this project
because you are lucky to have it. I urge all leaders to ensure
that the asset is well protected,” Dr Magufuli urged.
Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli has advised investors in the
country to abide by the country’s laws and pay their workers
accordingly.
Addressing hundreds of residents during the launch of
Lakairo factory that produces sweets, packages and other
products yesterday in Magu district, Dr Magufuli disclosed
that well paid staff are more efficient in production.
• A resetting of the overall City water usage target from
450 million litres per day to 500 million litres per day He directed the owner of Lakairo factory, who doubled as
the MP of Roryac constituency in Mara, Mr Lameck Airo,
to ensure that his workers are remunerated well.
• A relaxation of restrictions for commercial and
industrial water users from a 45% to a 40% usage
reduction “This is an occasion to congratulate the establishment of
this factory. Other MPs should borrow a leaf from Mr
Airo,” said the head of state.
• A lowering of tariffs to Level 5 tariffs: Meanwhile, the factory’s director, Mr Dan Lakairo, urged
the government to protect local industries against the unfair
competition from foreign goods.
Residential tariffs (excluding VAT)
• 0 – 6 kL: Down 26,6% from R28,90/kL to R21,19/k
• 6 – 10,5 kL: Down 25% from R46/kL to R34,43/kL
• 10 – 35 kL : Down 56% from R120,27/kL to R52,39/kL
• Above 35 kL: Down 70% from R1 000/kL to R300/kL
Commercial and Industrial tariffs
• Down 18% from R45,75/kL to R37,50/kL
8 Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • August
September
2018 2018
“Industries owned by Tanzanians are always under threat
of imported goods, so we urge the government to help us
thrive,” he said.