Availability to safe and clean drinking water is still a major challenge that many African countries are facing. Recent statistics indicate that around 800 million people still can’t access safe and clean water, while around 2.5 billion can’t access improved sanitation.
This means there is a major water crisis in waiting unless governments take a united stand in prioritizing water security management and improved sanitation. Nearly 98 per cent of the affected population are found in the third world countries especially in Africa, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the population.
According to stakeholders and water experts, for Africa to achieve sustainable development on sanitation and water security, the governments need to develop proper financing mechanisms, taking into account huge funding requirements for the sector.
Others propose that governments in Africa should wipe out corruption in the sector to make sure that the resources allocated are efficiently used and direct their focus on the significant results of scientific research to underpin the solutions of the challenges facing the water sector.
Last week, over 1000 participants from both the public and private sectors, researchers as well as development partners from all over Africa and beyond converged in Dar es Salaam to commemorate the 6th Africa Water Week organized by African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
With the theme “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) on Water Security and Sanitation,” the event created an opportunity for the stakeholders in the water sector to discuss and collectively get lasting solutions concerning water security management and sanitation in Africa.
The government of Tanzania has taken significant to improve water access in the country where by at present, people in the rural areas access the water by 65 per cent while those in urban areas the access to water is 75 per cent.
Eng Gerson Lwenge, the Minister for Water and Irrigation, said that the government of Tanzania has placed a lot of priority on the water sector by set aside 1tril/- in this year budget to, make sure that the people can access clean and safe water by 100 per cent in 2025.
Speaking when he officially opened the 6th Africa Water Week, Prime Minister of Tanzania Kassim Majaliwa said that Tanzania places a high level of importance to the water sector. He stressed the government’s commitment and dedication to continue placing a lot of priority to management of water resources and sanitation according to the national plan.
Mr Majaliawa noted that access to clean and safe water is still a big challenge affecting many African countries, more so the rural population, hence through the conference the countries will jointly seek sustainable solutions concerning water security management and sanitation.
The premier appealed to African governments to address the challenges affecting the water sector such as shortage of human resource and capital investment if Africa is to achieve meaningful cooperation and sustainable development.
