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UPDATED: 16 Jan 2008 GMT
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Speeches 2007

Launching of The Community-Watershed Partnership Program

Venue: Pangani District, Tanga Region

February 15, 2007

Statement by Ms. Pamela White the Mission Director, USAID/Tanzania

Honorable Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (MP), Minister for Water;
The Regional Commissioner, Tanga Region;
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water;
The Regional Administrative Secretary; Tanga Region
The Chairman of Pangani District Council; Pangani District
The Country Manager – Coca-Cola Tanzania
The Manager of Bonite Bottlers;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

  • I am very pleased to be here with you on this beautiful day to mark the beginning of an important partnership between the government, the private sector, civil society and local communities to manage water resources and improve sanitation and local hygiene in the Wami-Ruvu and Pangani River Basins.


  • The Government of the United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development, is very proud to be part of this important initiative whose successful implementation will improve community access to sustainable safe water, provide sanitation services to local communities, and promote sustainable management of watershed and water resources in the country’s two most important river basins – the Wami-Ruvu and Pangani. The two basins are the most populated of Tanzania’s nine water basins and have an important role to play in supporting livelihood activities for local communities and are critical in maintaining biodiversity, managing wildlife in reserves, parks and marine ecosystems.


  • In our rural village communities Water is at the core of women’s traditional responsibilities: collecting and storing water, caring for children, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining sanitation. Therefore providing access to clean water close to the home can dramatically reduce women’s workloads, and free up time for other economic activities. This initiative is part of a global alliance between the Coca Cola Company and the U.S. Agency for International Development to promote sound water resources management and sustainable service delivery.


  • I am also very pleased to note that this initiative forms the core of the National Water Policy of 2002 whose major focus is on forming a multi-partner, collaborative approach to rural water development. The collaborative implementation of this program will address the serious environmental degradation that exists in Wami-Ruvu and Pangani River Basins; improve water supply systems, enhance hygiene education and sanitation facilities in selected villages in the five districts of Pangani, Mvomero, Bagamoyo, Korogwe and Kilosa by reaching approximately 150,000 people. The US government is very pleased to be a part of such a progressive initiative.


  • I am particularly gratified with the initiatives’ adoption of participatory decision-making processes and efforts to enhance local community ownership as well as to mainstream the participation of both women and men, but especially women, to optimize the use of water resources and improve sanitation and hygiene practices at the local level. Through this program the Tanzania water sector will be able to achieve its goals and objectives as outlined in the National Water Sector Development Strategy and address environmental and socio-economic issues that are negatively impacting these water basins. The management and wise use of those river basins will provide an important opportunity for unleashing the great economic potential of these areas and promoting sustainable development for the Tanzanian people.


  • Let me conclude my remarks by thanking the communities and all of the institutions forming this important development partnership. It is my earnest hope that all the institutions in the partnership will display the required leadership and professionalism in implementing the activities of this program and in ensuring that the local communities in the two basins are provided with the necessary tools with which to eradicate poverty and improve environmental stewardship. I have every reason to believe in the commitment and ability of these institutions to execute this project successfully.


Thank you for very much for your attention…

Nashukuru kwa kunisikiliza.

ASANTENI SANA.