JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has donated 261m/- to support a water project being established in Malya ward, Kwimba District in Mwanza Region.

The Kwimba District Council Chairman, Mr Zephaniah Masangu, said here yesterday that the water project will involve three deep wells and water network that would supply water in those villages.

"We have already signed the contract and the project will kick off this December and we hope that the project will cover Malya ward and other surrounding areas," said Masangu.

Mr Masangu said that the project is expected to benefit more than 35,000 villagers of Malya ward and neighbouring village of Kitunda, saying that Malya had water problem as villagers had to fetch water from Malya dam. Although it is called Malya dam, the dam is located in Maswa district, in new Simiyu region.

Mr Masangu stated that residents in Kitunda have always protested villagers from Malya to obtain water from their dam, something that has developed antagonistic relationship between the two.