In a bid to wean consumers from charcoal and imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) use, the government is undertaking an ambitious 65.1m US dollars natural gas use project targeting 30,000 households and 8,000 cars in Dar es Salaam.
Deputy Minister for Minerals and Energy, Mr George Simbachawene
Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, George Simbachawene, told Parliament that Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has already picked a consultant to undertake a feasibility study before implementation of the project.
“In preparation of the gas policy, gas law and comprehensive natural gas use plan, the ministry is targeting low income earners to benefit from the resource,” Mr Simbachawene said while answering questions from Maswa East lawmaker (Chadema), Sylvester Kasulumbayi.
In his main questions, Mr Kasulumbayi wanted to know how much low income Tanzanians spend on energy but also if discovery of huge natural gas reserves has benefitted the same group.
Simbachawene further pointed out that with over 46.5 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the country through TPDC appointed a consultant from China, Ultimate Technology Limited in 2006/7 to undertake feasibility study on a pilot project for natural gas use in the commercial capital.
Simbachawene dismissed allegations that he once told low income rural people who cannot afford to pay for electrification of their homes after the government’s decision to slash connecting prices by more than 50 percent, to use oil lumps.
“I never said that, I was misquoted by the radio,” argued Kibakwe legislator (CCM) while responding to a supplementary question asked by Iringa Urban legislator (Chadema), Peter Msigwa who wondered if the statement which was attributed to the minister was true.
Meanwhile, contractors to undertake rural electrification under an ambitious government project to light rural areas will be picked and start work by next March.
Responding to questions posed by Mahmoud Mgimwa (Mufindi North CCM), Mr Simbachawene said under Phase II of rural electrification project being implemented by Rural Energy Agency and Tanesco, all remaining regions will get contractors.
“During the first phase of this project, only 11 regions got contractors but during this financial year, the rest of the regions including Iringa which has already got one, a company called Energya PTS will start implementing the project.
The deputy minister warned agents undertaking the project to stop demanding contributions from rural folks, saying such payments are illegal.
Responding to Arumeru East legislator (Chadema), Joshua Nasari who wanted to know why committees are demanding contributions from the public while under taking the programme.
Source Tanzania Daily News
