The Ministry of Water and the Japan International Cooperation Agency on Monday held a one day national workshop to introduce training package, guidance and consultation for capacity development for Local Government Authorities, Regional Water Sanitation Teams and Basin Water teams.

The training which will be provided by the Ministry of Water is aimed at providing skills needed by officials in the water sector in the implementation of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) Capacity Development Project.

The Deputy Director from the Ministry of Water, Eng Amani Mafuru, said the capacity building training package provided by JICA will provide capacity needed by LGAs, Regional Water Sanitation Teams and Basin Water team to help the public ensure water projects are maintained and sustained.

"In the phase one of the RUWASSA Project, JICA which provides technical assistance availed such training package for capacity building programme to four regions, this is the second phase of the programme," Eng Mafuru noted. In the first phase, Dar es Salaam, Coast, Lindi and Mtwara regions received the training.

In this second phase, Mwanza, Tabora and Singida regions will receive the training. JICA Chief Representative Mr Yukihide Katsuta said JICA is of the view that capacity development of LGAs is a key factor in ensuring high consciousness of the public on the use of safe and clean water and ensuring the water projects are maintained well.

"We are aware that the real challenge is not simply building new water supply schemes but rather the building of capacities of LGAs in all the programme phases," he explained. The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation is a component of the Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP 2006-2025), where JICA is providing technical support.

Mr Katsuta said the first three years of the phase 2 capacity building for LGAs, Regional water sanitation teams and Basin water teams will cost US 3 million.