Biteko upset by delays in Tabora power project
TABORA: THE DEPUTY Prime Minister, Dr Doto Biteko has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow construction pace of 132KV power transmission line from Tabora to Urambo constructed by Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO)’s subsidiary firm Electrical Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Company Limited (ETDCO Limited).
The Deputy Premier, who is also Minister for Energy, directed TANESCO Board to sack ETDCO General Manager, Muhamed Abdallah, who has failed to prioritise execution of the projects being managed by the company.
Dr Biteko issued the directives after inspecting the project for construction of Uhuru substation in Urambo District, Tabora Region on Wednesday.
The construction of the substation is being done by TBEA, a Chinese company and has reached 84 per cent while the construction of the 115 km power transmission line from Tabora to Urambo, which is being undertaken by ETDCO, a subsidiary of TANESCO and is only 10 per cent complete.
“On September 17, 2023, I sent the Deputy Minister for Energy Judith Kapinga, to inspect this project and she gave instructions for its completion. I also sent the then Chairman of the TANESCO Board, Major General Paul Simuli, to inspect this project on December 17, 2023 and he also gave instructions that have not been implemented. The risk here is that TBEA will complete the work in early June, but electricity will still not be available at the station because the power line will not be completed,” Dr Biteko said.
He said failure to complete the project on time will cause the government to continue paying TBEA company because it will be required to remain at the site. He said that both TBEA and ETDCO were paid an advance payment of 50 per cent for the execution of the work.
Commenting on electricity projects in Tabora Region, Dr Biteko said that the project will connect two regions because electricity from the region will go to Kigoma and Katavi through the Uhuru substation and later be transported to Nguruka sub station and Kidahwe station in Kigoma Region to connect citizen to the national grid.
He also said that Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan provided funds to construct a power line from Tabora-Ipole-Mlele to Mpanda town with a length of 393 kilometres adding that the construction of the cooling station in Ipole has reached 89 per cent, Mlele (87 per cent) and Mpanda town (90 per cent) while electricity construction of its power line has reached 47 per cent.
Moreover, Dr Biteko said that the government intends to ensure that people have access to electricity through the implementation of various projects including the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) where one turbine has already started producing 235 megawatts while another machine will be completed this month to inject another 235 megawatts to provide permanent solution to electricity woes in the country.
He told ETDCO to evaluate itself in the implementation of its projects following delays and evaluate its performance within the management which is not satisfactory. On the other hand, he directed executives who cannot live and implement the President’s visions to resign their positions so that government can continue with its efforts to address people’s problems.
A Member of Parliament for Urambo Magreth Sitta thanked Dr Biteko for inspecting the project and giving instructions that will enable the project to be completed and address power problem in the region.
She also thanked the President, Dr Samia for allocating funds for the implementation of various projects including electricity, water and health projects in Urambo.
