Water Governance in Tanzania: Performance of Governance Structures and Institutions

Samwel J. Kabote^1, and Pius John¹

¹Department of Development Studies, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Cite this paper:
Samwel J. Kabote and Pius John. Water Governance in Tanzania: Performance of Governance Structures and Institutions. World Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2017; 3(1):15-25. doi: 10.12691/wjssh-3-1-3

Abstract

Water governance is becoming imperative because of increasing water shortage for different uses in the world. However, the concept is not explored sufficiently in developing countries like Tanzania. This paper examines water governance in the lines of governance structures and institutions in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania. The paper adopted descriptive cross-sectional research design to make sense of the existing situation. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. A sample size of 270 water users was involved in the survey. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data were summarized using SPSS while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results showed presence of weak water governance structures and institutions that cannot influence water users’ behaviour. The basin level was unable to control and monitor water quality because of lacking human resource and adequate funding. The formal and informal institutions were interlinked in their operations. However, village governments and village water committees were unable to resolve water conflicts because of being colluded by those who breached the rules. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to build capacity of the governance structures to enforce institutions in governing water resource.

Keywords:
water governance structures institutions Tanzania

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) (2008). A Snapshot of Drinking Water in Africa. Prepared for AMCOW as a Contribution to the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union with Special theme: Meeting the Millennium Development Goals on Water and Sanitation 30 June to 1 July, 2008.
[2]	Araral, E and Wang, Y. (2013). Water Governance 2.0: A Review and Second Generation Research Agenda. Water Resources Management 27 (11): 3945-3957.
[3]	Araral, E and Yu, D. J. (2013). Comparative law, policies, and administration in Asia: evidence from 17 countries. Water Resources Research, 49: 5307-5316.
[4]	Cleaver, F and Toner, A. (2006). The evolution of community water governance in Uchira, Tanzania: the implication for equality of access, sustainability and effectiveness. Natural Resources Forum, 30: 207-218.
[5]	Franks, T., Lankford, B and Mdemu, M. (2004). Managing water amongst competing uses: the Usangu wetland in Tanzania. Irrigation and Drainage, 53: 1-10.
[6]	Fukuyama, F. (2013). What is Governance? Accessed on 22 November 2016 at https://fsi.fsi.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/What_Is_Governance_v3.pdf.
[7]	Global Water Partnership (2006). Effective Water Governance in West and East Africa Synthesis Report. Prepared for Program for Effective Water Governance (EU-supported), MetaMeta/ Overseas Development Institute. 30pp.
[8]	International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (1999). Good Governance: an Overview. Accessed on 22 November 2016 at http://www.ipa.government.bg/sites/default/files/pregled-dobro_upravlenie.pdf
[9]	Kabote, S.J., Nombo, C.I., Urassa, J.K., Mattee, A.Z., Mamiro, D.P and Masolwa, L.M (2016). Gender responsive adaptation to climate change in semi-arid environments of Tanzania is achievable. EPINAV policy brief No. 01/2016. Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro.
[10]	Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2015a). Water Governance Indicators: World Water Forum, Korea 15 April, 2015.
[11]	Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2015b). Inventory of Water Governance Indicators and Measurement Frameworks. Accessed on 24/01/2017 at http://www.riob.org/IMG/pdf/Inventory_Indicators-5.pdf.
[12]	Rogers, P and Hall, A. W. (2003). Effective Water Governance. Global Water Partnership Technical Committee No. 7. Sweden.
[13]	Sokile, C.S., Mwaruvanda, W and Koppen, B. (2005). Integrated Water Resource Management in Tanzania: Interface between Formal and Informal Institutions. A Paper Presented at the International Workshop on ‘Africa Water Laws: Plural Legislative Frameworks for Rural Water Management in Africa’ Held in Johannesburg South Africa on 26-28 January 2005.
[14]	Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania Investment Partnership Program (SAGCOT) (2012). Initiatives to ensure sustainable water supply for communities and investors in the SAGCOT Corridor. Presented by the Minister for Water Hon. Prof. Jumanne Maghembe (MP) to the Tanzania Agribusiness Investment Showcase Event 27 November 2012. Available on 21 November 2016, at http://www.sagcot.com/uploads/media/6._SAGCOT_Showcase_Min_Water.pdf.
[15]	Tortajada, C. (2010). Water governance: some critical issues. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 26 (2): 297-307.
[16]	United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (1997). Governance for sustainable human development, UNDP policy document, New York.
[17]	United Nations Economic and Social Council (2006). Compendium of basic terminology in governance and public administration. United Nations Economic and Social Council. New York. http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan022332.pdf. Accessed on 22 November 2016.
[18]	United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) (2010). Africa Water Atlas. Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA). United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.unep.org/pdf/africa_water_atlas.pdf accessed on 22/11/2016.
[19]	United Nations Environmental Security (2004). Water, Conflicts and Cooperation Policy Brief. Accessed from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/ecspr10_unf-caribelko.pdf on 12/01/2017.
[20]	United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2002). National Water Policy. Ministry of Water and Livestock Development. Dar es Salaam.
[21]	United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2011). Poverty and Human Development Report. Research on Poverty Alleviation. Dar es Salaam.
[22]	United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2016). National Five Year Development Plan 2016/17 to 2020/21. Ministry of Finance and Planning. Dar es Salaam. 293pp.