The Ministry of Energy and Minerals is struggling to implement power projects in the country in line with the CCM Election Manifesto.
President Jakaya Kikwete
Inaugurating the Mwanza Electrical Distribution system Rehabilitation and extension project at Bukokwa Ward in sengerema District in Mwanza Region on Wednesday, President Jakaya Kikwete hailed the ministry for its efforts to manage energy policy and its implementation properly.
“The Ministry has managed the energy policy and its implementation in a move to enable many people access power countrywide and improve their living conditions,”said President Kikwete.
He said that government has plans to make Tanzania generate more than 3000MW by the year 2015, which would satisfy national demand.
Dr Kikwete said that his administration has so far recorded highest percentage in people’s access to reliable electricity, saying the trend was of crucial importance to the country’s economic development.
He noted that the construction, rehabilitation and extension system of power projects in Mwanza and Geita as well as distribution are some of the ventures jointly carried out by the government with the support of the United States.
Power projects in Mwanza and Geita have cost 24.87bn/- and 103bn/- have been set aside for 225 projects in ten regions in Tanzania mainland.The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo said that the projects would raise the availability of reliable power in the country.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation ( MCC) Executive Officer, Mr Benard Mchomvu said that the projects were among several others funded by the United States through MCC.
Other projects are being implemented in Tanga, Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya, Kigoma, Dodoma, Manyara and Njombe.
By MOSES MATTHEW, Tanzania Daily News
