DAR ES SALAAM: THE country’s preparations for hosting the Africa Energy Summit, scheduled to take place from January 27 to 28 this year at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, are 70 per cent complete.
The preparations involve carrying out cleanliness in the city, renovation of airports, roads, the JNICC, allocation of accommodation facilities for guests including foreign Heads of State and Government and international institutions and installation of street lights and posters to amplify the summit’s presence.
The summit which has a central focus of accelerating electricity connectivity and green energy’s use at large in Africa is anticipated to bring together about 1,500 participants. It targets to ensure 300 million people in the continent are connected to power by 2030.
The summit is dubbed “Mission 300”. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Albert Chalamila updated on the progress of the preparations in a press conference shortly after a long-day tour to inspect the preparations in which he noted that they have reached 70 per cent and are expected to be completed before January 20.
He said the renovations of the transport and accommodation facilities in Dar es Salaam aim to elevate its position as the country’s commercial hub by providing comfort to all attendees of the summit.
“We want all guests in the summit especially Heads of State and Government to find joy in Tanzania while attending the crucial summit,” Mr Chalamila said.
The preparations at Julius Nyerere International Airport’s (JNIA) Terminal 1 include enhancing cleanliness, renovating the airport’s entrance and exit roads and placing posters with messages related to the summit.
Mr Chalamila noted that intensive renovation is also underway at Nyerere Road whereby the government is set to install street lights to strengthen security and support 24-hour business operations in Dar es Salaam ahead of the summit.
Furthermore, he prohibited all truck owners from parking their vehicles along the reserves of Nyerere Road, among other measures, to facilitate the ongoing preparations.
Overall, he said a total of 300 street lights will be installed in different roads including the Nyerere stretch in Dar es Salaam.
Nevertheless, he demanded truck owners to remove their vehicles from the unauthorised parking areas before January 20, which is the deadline for the summit’s preparations.
Moreover, the RC said the region continues to strengthen healthcare and security ahead of the historic energy summit. In another development, JNICC’s Managing Director, Ms Christine Mwakatobe noted that preparations at the facility are on track.
All walls of the centre as of yesterday had already been repainted. She said other ongoing renovations at the JNICC include renovation of air conditioning (AC), seats, placement of a new ground floor carpet and addition of security camera, installation of the facility’s compound modern bulbs and automation of gates.
“I and my team, have set a target of ensuring that we finish major preparations by January 12, the day which will be the public holiday,” Ms Mwakatobe said while briefing the RC, Mr Chalamila.
She said after January 12, the remaining tasks will involve installation of AC and translation equipment at the building, insisting that the major goal is to offer unmatched quality experience to all participants of the event.
The Africa Energy Summit which is co-organised by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) offers an opportunity for governments, private sector leaders, development partners and civil society to advance the ambitious goal of providing electricity in the continent.
