European Union Grants Funds to Tanzania Earmarked for the Improvement of Water Projects
The European Union (EU) has issued about € 71.26 to Tanzania earmarked for the improvement of water projects as part of implementing the country’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) strategies.
A statement from the Tanzanian Ministry of Water to APA on Thursday quoted the permanent secretary, Christopher Sayi as confirming that the government of German, through the Germany Development Bank had issued the grant for improving the water sector in Mtwara, Rukwa, Kigoma, Lindi and Manyara regions.
Sayi made it clear that his country was yet to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number four strategy on efficient supply of clean water and improved sanitation services in rural areas.
He said about 35 percent of Tanzanians living in rural areas will not be supplied with water by 2015, the deadline set by the UN for achieving this MDG.
However, Mr Sayi said that the government was proud to project that about 95 percent of people living in urban areas would be supplied with clean and safe water.
The grant was issued after the European Union (EU), German and Tanzania signed an agreement to improve the water situation in the five regions of the country.
According to EU head of delegation in Tanzania, Filiberto Sebregondi, through the agreement, the EU delegated its MDG Initiative (MDGI) contribution of 51.26 million Euros to finance water projects in beneficiary regions and districts.
He added that through the agreement, the German government would provide an additional 20 million Euros through the German Development Bank to complete the required budget in the three regions and to commit funding for the implementation of development initiatives in Babati and Mtwara.
Sebregondi noted that, more than 960, 000 people would benefit from improved systems through the grant.
The projects, which are set to start early next year, will be completed in 2015 with a view to meeting MDG number four deadline.
Source African Press Agency
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Category: Africa
