Dawasco’s new CEO, Cyprian Luhemeja, announces the crackdown on water theft in the city. Photo: Dawasco
The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) says a special six month operation will put an end to water theft in the city.
Every day, 171 million litres of water are lost through theft and poor infrastructure, says Dawasco chief executive officer Cyprian Luhemeja.
Dar es Salaam uses 515 million litres of water daily, however Dawasco only provides 300 million litres — and 56 percent of that is lost.
“That is a large amount of water considering that we are able to deal with the problem. We are now saying it is over to water theft, We will use all our agents as well as well-wishers to make sure the thieves are brought to book,” says Luhemeja, just two days after he was named CEO.
Former CEO Jackson Midala was suspended by the Ministry of Water for allegedly failing to identify and end the theft of water in the city.
Luhemeja says a reward of $250 USD (500,000 TSH) awaits anyone who can give information on incidents of water theft.
A charge of economic sabotage awaits anyone charged with stealing water.
