THE DEPUTY Prime Minister, Dr Dotto Biteko has expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded at the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydro-electric Project (RRFHP), which has reached 99.7 per cent.
Dr Biteko who is also the Minister for Energy, was in a tour of Kagera Region where he visited the Rusumo hydro project and attended a ministerial meeting with Energy ministers from Burundi and Rwanda
He explained that to-date the project had recorded 99.7 per cent performance and he was confident that once the hydro project is completed, it will enhance social economic growth, reinforce regional cooperation, partnership and peace within the East African region.
“After visiting the Rusumo Hydro project I have been satisfied with the good progress recorded. The completion of the project is a landmark that will enhance social economic growth, reinforce regional cooperation, partnership and peace within the East African region,” he said.
“The project is a good initiative that will improve the socioeconomic benefits. Once operational, the project will bring 80 MW of renewable, clean, relatively low-cost power to the national grids of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania with each country benefitting about 27 MW,” he said.
He directed officials under the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and the Rural Energy Agency (REA), to leave their offices and reach people at the grassroots and connect electricity in their houses.
He explained that the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan was keen to ensure that all Tanzanians are connected to electricity at affordable price of just 27,000/- in rural areas where the majority of people live.
Dr Biteko explained that in Tanzania the private sector is a major development partner since it contributes to growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thus, the government is always supportive to the investors.
“Investors will be supported in keeping tab on the numerous opportunities available including an enabling environment in the country with proper infrastructure, adequate land for both large and medium agricultural development and reliable electricity, said Dr Biteko.
The Deputy Prime Minister also called on Tanzanians to stop dragging their feet in grabbing emerging opportunities, saying the practice is detrimental to the country’s development.
He also appealed to Wananchi in Kagera, Geita and Kigoma regions to grab the attractive investment opportunities by increasing production of cash and food crops to enable the nation to get raw materials needed in its industrialisation drive.
Kagera Region borders three East African Community (EAC) countries – Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi while Kenya can also be reached through Lake Victoria. The region is also a gateway to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He, however, cautioned people surrounding the project to avoid extravagant usage of water from the Kagera and Ruvubu rivers to avoid damaging the Rusumo water dam.
Implementation of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric project (RRFHP), will enhance regional cooperation, support sustainable management of the Kagera River Basin, promote growth and poverty reduction and also manage environmental aspects.
The project will address the acute shortage of electricity experienced by the three countries, which negatively affect their economies.