New impetus for Dar waste management

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) plans to spend 290bn/- towards enhancing solid waste management in five municipalities of Dar es Salaam.

This allocation is part of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project Phase II (DMDP II). World Bank Project Coordinator, Engineer Humphrey Kanyenye revealed the investment in Dar es Salaam yesterday during a signing ceremony for road construction contracts in five municipalities of the commercial city.

He said that this substantial funding will address a gap in the previous phase of the project, which had primarily focused on infrastructure development.

“Unlike the first phase, where solid waste collection, transportation and disposal were not prioritised, DMDP Phase II will dedicate 25 per cent of its total budget to improving solid waste management,” said Engineer Kanyenye.

The project aims to establish modern waste disposal sites, enhance waste collection infrastructure and promote recycling initiatives. He said by creating a more efficient waste management system, the project expects to reduce environmental pollution, improve public health and generate employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the project will foster collaboration among the five municipalities by establishing a joint institution to oversee solid waste management.

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This centralised approach is expected to streamline operations and ensure more effective waste disposal practices. The DMDP Phase II is being implemented by TARURA under the supervision of the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG).

This ambitious project is poised to significantly transform Dar es Salaam into a cleaner and more sustainable city. The second phase of the project will also continue to improve important public infrastructure in Ilala, Temeke and Kinondoni districts, which were not in the first phase.

The first phase of the project covered Kigamboni, Ubungo and other areas. Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) Mohamed Mchengerwa during the event directed the immediate commencement of the process of establishing a Metropolitan Authority for Dar es Salaam.

This authority will be responsible for coordinating all development activities within the municipalities of Dar es Salaam. He said that Dar es Salaam should serve as a model for the nation and that all visitors should see Tanzania’s image reflected in the city.

Therefore, there is a need for a body to coordinate its development and ensure that all development plans are integrated. The minister further said that through DMDP II, major projects such as the improvement of road infrastructure and the development of the Msimbazi River basin are being implemented.

Such large-scale projects in the municipalities require a body to oversee them.

“Even the world’s largest cities have ‘Metropolitan Cities’ and not just independent municipalities. There needs to be a body that unites the efforts made in all municipalities and coordinates them so that the city can grow to international standards,” he said.

He added, “Dar es Salaam must grow in a structured and coordinated manner to achieve international standards. We cannot allow haphazard development to hinder our city’s potential.”