THE government through Drilling and Dam Construction Association (DDCA) is set to drill more than 100 wells annually in order to increase the distribution of water in the country by the year 2015 as part of the water sector development plan in Tanzania.

This was announced by the Chief Executive Director of DDCA, Jonathan Mgaiwa at a workshop in Dar es Salaam. He elaborated that supplying water to 90 per cent of the country, DDCA will be assisted by the Government of Japan and come up with the Ground water Development and Management Capacity of Development Project (DDCAP).

"The goal of DDCAP is to make sure the number of wells necessary to achieve the target of underwater sector development plan in Tanzania. Our government and the government of Japan will assist DDCA in imparting technique and skills regarding water well drilling to the private drilling sector," he said.

The government of Japan will establish a system of hiring out drilling equipment and machinery. He further explained that the workshop was to revive Drillers Association of Tanzania (DAT) which was established in 1990 for Tanzania drillers who lacked proper and efficient equipment to undertake large drilling projects.

The Drillers Association of Tanzania was established to assist the government in developing sound policies that would ensure drillers participate fully in the development of the water sector. The representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tetsuya Yamamoto, said the water sector is a priority area and JICA focuses on improving access to safe and clean water in rural areas.

"In order to improve distribution, water well drilling has to be strengthened and we need ensure that all key players are properly coordinated, trained and drilling capacity built through training and technology and that is what we are planning to do," he emphasised.