CCM reignites LNG project

LINDI: THE long-awaited 40 billion US dollars Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Lindi Region is set to take off soon as negotiations with international investors near completion, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said.

Campaigning for her first full term in office on the CCM ticket, President Samia told rallies at Ilulu Stadium and in Mchinga Constituency that the talks have taken time because the project is both sensitive and costly, with both sides determined to strike a fair deal.

She pledged that, if elected in the next month’s General Election, her government would finalise the deal and ensure that Tanzanians fully benefit from the country’s resources.

“This is a huge project, worth over 40 billion US dollars. The investor wants to be certain about the returns, while the government is determined to ensure that our nation benefits from its resources,” she said.

President Samia assured Tanzanians that, if elected, her government would make sure the project is implemented and benefits the people.

“This project is very important for the development of our nation. It is highly costly, but our goal is to ensure it benefits us as a country,” she said.

She further explained that the government is already constructing an LNG training college in Lindi municipality to prepare Tanzanians to take part in the project.

“Investors want to be assured of what they will gain from their investment. On our part, we have prepared by establishing an LNG college to equip our youth with knowledge and skills, enabling them to participate fully,” she said.

President Samia said that once finalised, the LNG project would transform Tanzania into a major gas exporter and significantly boost the economy. “We have been in talks with investors for almost two years. We are now nearing the conclusion and I assure you this project will be implemented,” she said.

Tanzania has the secondlargest natural gas reserves in the region, with more than 57 trillion cubic feet (tcf) discovered so far, behind Mozambique, which holds 100 tcf, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

On minerals, President Samia said her government has continued to support small-scale miners and that if CCM is re-elected, the party would do even more to strengthen the sector.

She revealed that since 2020, the issuance of mining licenses has increased from 1,034 to 1,983.

Currently, only 16 per cent of mining areas have been surveyed. She pledged to expand this coverage to reach 18 or 20 per cent to identify exact mineral deposits across the country. “We plan to survey more areas so we can know exactly where minerals are located,” she explained. She also pledged more support for small-scale miners.

On Agriculture, President Samia pledged to revive and establish crop-processing industries, including the Nachingwea cashew nut factory.

She assured farmers that her government would continue to strengthen cooperative unions and provide subsidised fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.

“We are going to set up crop-processing industries to add value to our agricultural produce. This will benefit farmers and the nation at large,” she said.

On fishing, President Samia said that if elected her government would continue to promote the fisheries sector by offering loans to fishermen and establishing fishprocessing industries.

In Lindi, she noted, the government has already provided nine fishing boats and other fishing equipment.

She further assured that her government would continue to implement priority development projects across the country to improve people’s lives.

They include the construction of roads and bridges, bus terminals and modern markets, the construction of airports and improvements in education through building more schools, vocational training colleges (VETA) and higher learning institutions under the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project.

She also promised that the government would continue addressing the problem of destructive wild animals encroaching into villages, which has been a major concern for farmers who lose crops and properties.

In Mchinga Constituency, President Samia urged residents to engage in productive activities, especially agriculture, stressing that Tanzania is well positioned to feed neighbouring countries, turning all produce into economic benefits for farmers.

She pledged continued construction of roads in the area, improvement of health and education services and expansion of water and electricity supply to all villages and hamlets.

“We are determined to unlock the economic potential of the southern corridor by improving infrastructure such as roads, airports and ports,” she said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa stressed that the government is committed to building and upgrading airports as part of its efforts to boost economic activities. He said that Lindi airport will be expanded to ease air transport and support the long-awaited LNG project.

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He added that the government will also continue implementing power projects and developing various other infrastructure.

Meanwhile, CCM welcomed four new members who defected from opposition parties. They include Yusuph Tamba from Chama Cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMMA), Rehema Muhema from CUF, Salum Baruani from CHADEMA and another CUF member.