Oil firm drills 100 water wells worth in Zanzibar

“Each of the well has the capacity to produce between 17,000 and 20,000 litres of clean and safe water per day. We have as well installed water pumps at all the wells in addition to the construction of six storage tanks in some areas,” said Basix east Africa Managing Director, Mr Amani Mworia.

In his remarks, Mr Iddi thanked the company for the contribution and urged residents to maintain them, in addition to conserving other water sources in the islands of Unguja and Pemba. “Water is life.

Whoever assists you to get water is a friend indeed. My regards to the leader of Ras Al Khaimah State, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, for his contribution in the implementation of the project,” he stated.

He said that before the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964 water problems were serious, but the situation had changed gradually as many people now could access the precious liquid.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rak Gas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kamal Ataya, pledged to drill 50 more wells and asked the government to provide it with land to undertake the initiative.

“Once we are provided with land we will immediately embark on the project. Apart from water the company also supports education and health sectors, as well as construction of mosques,” Mr Ataya remarked.

Zanzibar Minister of Lands, Housing, Water and Energy, Mr Abdallah Ramadhani Shabani, was upbeat that water shortage in the islands would soon become history.

“The water wells were drilled in all the five regions of Zanzibar the well we are receiving today at Chumbuni is among those donated by Rak Gas,” the minister explained.

For his part, Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) Director General, Dr Mustafa Ali Garu, said the authority would ensure that the wells were well maintained and protected in order to benefit all the people.