MPs query ‘unrealistic’ water targets

Minister Jumanne Maghembe
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MPs query ‘unrealistic’ water targets
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 22:25
By Peter Nyanje and Bernard Lugongo
The Citizen Reporters
Dodoma. The Ministry of Water plans to
implement projects in all districts in
2013/14.But some MPs said yesterday that the
plan was too ambitious, given the meagre
budget presented by minister Jumanne
Maghembe.
Prof Maghembe asked Parliament to approve
Sh398.395 billion for recurrent and
development expenditure in the next financial
year. The allocation for development projects
is Sh379.443 billion.Although the ministry
drew praise for setting aside over 95 per cent
of its budget for development projects, it was
noted that the bulk of the funds would come
from donors.
Another drawback is the fact that the
ministerial plan represents only 2.2 per cent of
the national budget. According to various
stakeholders, this is not enough to achieve the
goal of providing 15.4 million people with
water by 2015.
The ministry hopes that donors will provide
Sh241 billion, raising doubts whether the
proposed projects will receive enough funds.
Some MPs said the government was not being
realistic in its plans to address the countrywide
water problem in the next financial year.But
presenting the budget earlier, Prof Maghembe
said the ministry planned to continue
implementing projects meant to improve water
supply in rural and urban areas.
“I take this opportunity to call on
municipalities to closely supervise contractors
and consultants who undertake these tasks to
ensure that the projects are completed in time
and are value for money,” he said.Debating the
proposals, most MPs who spoke yesterday said
the budget was too little.
Mr Saleh Pamba (Pangani-CCM), said unless it
was increased significantly, it would not be
possible to improve the availability of clean
and safe water by 65 per cent and 90 per cent
in urban and rural areas, respectively, by
2015.
Ms Amina Amour (Special Seats - CUF) noted
that what the ministry had requested was
insufficient if the government was really intent
on effectively addressing the water issue. “Why
doesn’t the government borrow to finance the
water sector? There is no need of fearing
debts,” she said.
Her views were echoed by Dr Cyril Chami
(Moshi Rural - CCM), who said MPs should not
blame the minister and his deputy for the
nationwide water shortage because the
ministry was operating on a shoestring budget.
“The minister and his deputy have a big task
ahead of them, but they don’t have the
required resources,” he said, adding that he
supported the proposals.
Dr Chami said MPs should suggest ways the
government could obtain more funds for the
water sector.
The Opposition said in its alternative budget
speech that it was surprised by the
government’s decision to allocate such a small
budget despite the magnitude of the problem.
The Shadow minister, Ms Cecilia Paresso,
wondered why the government had set aside
only two per cent of the national budget while
the five-year development plan required that it
allocates Sh529 billion to water development
projects.
“The Opposition wants the government to
explain if at all the five-year development plan
was considered,” she said.
Parliament’s Agriculture, Livestock and Water
Committee also said the proposed budget did
not meet the ministry’s basic needs.
Reported by Peter Nyanje and Bernard
Lugongo in Dodoma