During
the gas discovery period, the tug of war did not seem to be top on
agenda, but, only came up when the government awarded a contract to a
Chinese firm to construct a pipeline from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam a
distance of about 532km.
Different government officials are said to be in Mtwara including the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who is said to have met with religious leaders in the region, as part of efforts to resolve the crisis linked to the gas pipeline project.
Speaking on a local television, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals Mr. George Simbachawene said the country stands at losing a lot if protests by Mtwara residents over gas pipeline continued because the contracts for the project had already been signed.
Simbachawene explained that the Mtwara gas pipeline was contracted to a Chinese firm to construct it up to Dar es Salaam at Tsh2trn ($1.225bn). It is expected to be completed in August 2015.
He said that the contractor is already at the site though the construction of the pipeline from Mtwara on the Southern part of Tanzania to Dar es Salaam has been halted due to the ongoing protests by Mtwara residents.
“The contractor has stopped importation of equipments and if these protests continue, the country stands to incur other unexpected costs resulting from fines, penalties and high interest rates,” stressed Simbachawene.
He noted that the project is expected to produce about 2,780MW of electricity.
Tanzania’s former President Mr. Benjamin Mkapa stressed that Mtwara residents should reach a mutual understanding with government over the project.
Mkapa who also hails from Mtwara said there is no need for residents to protest as this might lead to chaotic situations.
Jakaya Kikwete, the sitting president said at a public rally in Tabora that the natural resources that were found in different parts of Tanzania should aim at benefiting the entire country and not just a section of the nation.
He noted that some regions like in the lake zones region of Shinyanga and Mwanza, where different gold producing companies were located have been the greatest contributions to the country’s economic growth.
Different government officials are said to be in Mtwara including the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who is said to have met with religious leaders in the region, as part of efforts to resolve the crisis linked to the gas pipeline project.
Speaking on a local television, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals Mr. George Simbachawene said the country stands at losing a lot if protests by Mtwara residents over gas pipeline continued because the contracts for the project had already been signed.
Simbachawene explained that the Mtwara gas pipeline was contracted to a Chinese firm to construct it up to Dar es Salaam at Tsh2trn ($1.225bn). It is expected to be completed in August 2015.
He said that the contractor is already at the site though the construction of the pipeline from Mtwara on the Southern part of Tanzania to Dar es Salaam has been halted due to the ongoing protests by Mtwara residents.
“The contractor has stopped importation of equipments and if these protests continue, the country stands to incur other unexpected costs resulting from fines, penalties and high interest rates,” stressed Simbachawene.
He noted that the project is expected to produce about 2,780MW of electricity.
Tanzania’s former President Mr. Benjamin Mkapa stressed that Mtwara residents should reach a mutual understanding with government over the project.
Mkapa who also hails from Mtwara said there is no need for residents to protest as this might lead to chaotic situations.
Jakaya Kikwete, the sitting president said at a public rally in Tabora that the natural resources that were found in different parts of Tanzania should aim at benefiting the entire country and not just a section of the nation.
He noted that some regions like in the lake zones region of Shinyanga and Mwanza, where different gold producing companies were located have been the greatest contributions to the country’s economic growth.
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