THE Nzega District Council in Tabora region has pledged to set aside a total of 40m/- from its budget in the next financial year to carry out sanitation and hygiene projects in the area.

Acting District Planning Officer for Nzega, Martin Jakanyango made the promise before members and stakeholders attending the Sanitation and Hygiene meeting that was held at the Council's hall early this week.

He noted that although research conducted in the district last year shows that more than 50 per cent of the district's households have no latrines, yet there are glaring examples of positive change at Wakashanhala, Mambali and Igusule wards in Nzega district.

He said, the changes are the result of the job well done by a non-governmental Organization, SEMA-Singida sponsored by WaterAid. Jakanyango said Singida in conjunction with WaterAid, the Nzega district council authorities have found it necessary to join hands with the NGOs by contributing 40m/- from its budget in the next financial year towards the project.

He remarked that the pilot sanitation centres for improved pit latrines built in the areas and experimental artisans in various wards in the district will be consulted.

He said that the aim was to ensure that each household in Nzega district has an improved pit latrine so as to reduce the outbreaks of diseases in the area.

According to Jakanyango, only 44.5 per cent of more than 112,000 households accommodating over 560,000 people have latrines while the rest of them depend on their neighbours' facilities or simply go to nearby bushes to attend the call of nature.