Egyptian minister speaks on JNHPP importance to TZ

EGYPTIAN Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, on Thursday argued that the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Power Project (JNHPP) is one of ambitious development projects in the continent and will effectively contribute to the country’s development as well as improve the livelihood of Tanzanians.

Minister Shoukry revealed this during the impounding and first fill ceremony of the JNHPP dam in the Coast Region, yesterday.

“This is a milestone towards finalisation of the project and the generation of electricity with a total investment of 2.9 billion US dollars and a generation capacity of around 2,000 megawatts.

“We are committed to its finalisation in line with the political commitment demonstrated by our leaders that Tanzania reaps the whole benefits of this important investment through this project,” said Mr Shoukry.

According to him, Egypt-Tanzania collaboration in that important project, which is executed collaboratively with Egyptians and Tanzanians ,reflects the country’s commitment to the development of countries surrounding the Nile Basin.

He added that the occasion was a testimony to the long standing historic relations that bind Egypt and Tanzania, providing a living example of what can be achieved for the benefit of the people of the two countries through concerted and determined cooperation.

He recalled December 2015 when the government of Tanzania initiated the ambitious project, noting that four years later 78 per cent of the overall work has been completed .

Bilateral relations between the two countries are witnessing immense progress in a few years contributed by the shared visions of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and his counterpart President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Mr Shoukry highlighted that the project exemplifies Egypt and Tanzania’s  joint engagement and will continue to present an eternal token of the two countries’ relationship.

He commended the Egyptian joint venture- Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric and Arab Contractors -for their diligence and commitment in  finalising  the project according to the highest international standards regardless of the challenges faced as a result of the devastating impacts of Covid-19 pandemic and its international consequences.

The minister noted that the Egyptian joint venture reflects the level of their proficiency, capability and vast experience accumulated over the past years through the implementation of construction projects both in Egypt and internationally.

“This experience that Egypt is ready to share with their African brothers and sisters is consistent with its historic role to support development of our sisterly African nations.

“Our success is attributed to our joint commitment and efforts of the implementation of this project have been closely monitored at the highest level of both governments, guaranteeing its success,” he noted.

Accompanied by his fellow Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, Dr Assem El-Gazzar they reiterated their unwavering commitment to the ongoing collaboration until the final completion of the project and beyond.

He attributed the diligence and vision demonstrated by President Samia to the success of the project that is bound to benefit many Tanzanians.

“The investment provided by the government for the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people makes the project possible,” he said.