Mamlaka ya maji safi na maji taka DAWASCO imebomoa nyumba iliyokuwa ikizuia miundombinu ya maji (Mansion of Lowassa's brother blocking water pipeline project pulled down)

Mansion blocking water pipeline project pulled down

BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA

29th November 2015.

The government has pulled down a mansion belonging to Elibahati Lowassa, a brother to the former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, to pave way for the 54-km- long water pipeline stretching from Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam.

The project, which commenced in 2012 and was expected to be completed in 15 months, was delayed pending compensation to a number of residents affected by the project.

The project had so far attracted 17 cases at Kinondoni Land Council and the High Court (Land) Division challenging the decision by Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) to implement the project.

Dawasa Acting Technical Services Director Eng Romanus Mwang’ingo told reporters that thirteen cases had so far been ruled in favour of the Authority.

Eng. Mwang’ingo said the delay had forced the Chinese-based contractor, CinoHydro Co., to repatriate to China staff members including machinery.

However, the director was quick to note that owing to the delays the government would be entitled to be paid over Sh10 billion, which is calculated until September, this year, a heftier penalty to the contractor.

This amount, according to him, is subject to international and domestic laws and is likely to surge due to currency depreciation against international trading in the US dollar.

Commenting on the ongoing demolitions, which have been extended to cover the 15m mark from the old water pipeline, Eng. Mwang'ingo said construction work would resume soon pending the 2.6km stretch of disputed house demolition.

The engineer was optimistic that the project would be complete come February, next year, allowing a 270million litre daily water supply in the city and parts of coast region.

The project is part of the expansion work aimed at boosting the city water supply, including Coast region, having already expanded the Lower Ruvu water treatment plant and increasing its capacity to 360million litres daily from 182million litres.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY