On March 21st, in the Bangoro area of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, housewife Eva Janueri Bugayane used tap water provided by the Bangoro water supply project to clean kitchen utensils. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hermann Emanuel)
Dar es Salaam, March 22 (Xinhua) — With water and heart, China and Tanzania join hands to “connect water” and nourish the people’s hearts
Xinhua News Agency reporter Hua Hongli
On the occasion of World Water Day, the people of Bengulo region in southern Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are filled with joy and excitement. In this place that once suffered from water scarcity, now the clear and sweet tap water nourishes the lives of 450000 residents.
This change is due to the Bengulo water supply project undertaken by Chinese companies.
Eva Janueli Bugayane, a housewife who has lived in Bengulo for more than ten years, was deeply moved by her past experience of fetching water. She used to wake up at four o’clock every morning and walk a long way to find water, sometimes having to queue for hours. The water was still murky and salty.
Now that we turn on the faucet, we can use clean water, making cooking, washing clothes, and showering all convenient. It’s so happy
On March 21st, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Yin Zifei (right), Deputy Chief Engineer of the Bangulo Water Supply Project, inspected the operation of the water supply station machines with Tanzanian workers. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hermann Emanuel)
This water supply project, funded by the World Bank, started construction in January 2024 and was completed in January 2025. It was undertaken by China Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina). The water supply scope of the project covers seven areas in the southern part of Dar es Salaam and multiple remote villages, achieving 24-hour uninterrupted water supply.
The chairman of the local government in Bengulo, Goodleck Mwele, told reporters that water shortage not only causes inconvenience in daily life, but also easily leads to diseases and various conflicts. He introduced that before the completion of the project, residents could only purchase water at high prices from other areas; In addition, when women leave early and return late to fetch water, their families also worry about their safety. Now that we have tap water, such troubles are gone forever, “he said with a smile.
The project not only solves the water shortage problem, but also brings tangible employment and skill improvement to the local people. Youssef Mustafa Mutamire, who served as a human resources officer in the project, has been working at China Power Construction for more than ten years. “I learned from my Chinese colleagues what discipline and teamwork are,” he said. It is this spirit that enables Chinese companies to complete such complex projects with high quality.
On March 21st, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Yusuf Mustafa Mtamile, the human resources officer of the Bangulo Water Supply Project, was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters at the project site. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hermann Emanuel)
Through this job, my family has also benefited greatly, “Mtamile told reporters. He used his salary to buy land, build a house, pay for the tuition of his four children, and let his wife live a decent life.
Vice Chief Engineer Yin Zifei introduced that in order to ensure the sustainable operation of the project, the Chinese engineering team has also trained a large number of local technical personnel, teaching them professional skills such as pipeline welding and water pump operation. The project is not just about ‘blood transfusion’, but also about ‘blood production’, “said Yin Zifei.” We hope to enable the people of Tanzania to master the ability to independently operate the water supply system
He stated that the Bangulo Water Supply Project is a microcosm of the deepening and solidifying cooperation between China and Africa. Chinese enterprises are not only participants in Africa’s development, but also drivers of sustainable cooperation. We are willing to deeply integrate China’s technology and experience with Africa’s development needs
Bugayanae, who washed the dishes with clear tap water and prepared to cook, said excitedly, “What we drink is not only water, but also hope. Thanks to our Chinese brothers and sisters, our hearts are tied together.”