THE Board of Directors of Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has conducted a visit to see the progress of the manufacturing of a specialised trailers designed by Superdoll for the transportation of crucial pipes destined for the EACOP project in Tanzania.
The mid-week visit marks yet another key milestone in ensuring the successful implementation of the ambitious project.
Ewura, the regulatory body responsible for granting approval for the EACOP project in the country, said during the visit that it was satisfied with the progress of the trailers to meet stringent road safety standards.
The visit was led by the Board Chairman of Ewura, Professor Mark Mwandosya, who briefly expressed his feelings on the progress made by Superdoll’s innovative transport solutions.
During the visit, Haruna Masebu, on behalf of other members of the board, expressed the board’s satisfaction, stating that, “We are impressed with the work and standards upheld by Superdoll in the making and designing of these long-specialised trailers.”
He further remarked: “As Ewura, a key stakeholder in the government’s oversight of this project, we are pleased with the work and the quality of these trailers, which are equipped with special features to ensure road safety.”
He said EWURA was delighted to see a local company actively gets involved in the mega project in line with the country’s local content policy, which promotes the active participation of locals in national development projects.
Gevald Maganga, the Petroleum Manager at Ewura, explained that their visit to the Superdoll workshop was to assess the progress of the project, which has largely been executed efficiently and in accordance with international standards, as required by the EACOP project.
The trailers, with an impressive length of 18 metres, have been meticulously designed to meet the unique requirements of transporting the EACOP pipes safely and efficiently.
According to Superdoll officials, they have been granted special permits and are equipped with advanced features, including shock-absorption mechanisms to protect the pipes from damage during transit.
Fulgence Bube, the Director of Superdoll, emphasised the company’s commitment to upholding safety standards and collaborating with government agencies, such as the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), to ensure that the trailers meet all road safety requirements.
Bube explained, “These specialised trailers are set to travel at a controlled speed of 50 kilometres per hour and are equipped with cameras for real-time monitoring of their journeys.
“Our focus is not only on the successful transportation of the pipes, but also on ensuring the safety of all road users,” he said.
He stated, “Out of the 300 trailers, 217 have already been manufactured and the remaining ones are in the final stages of completion.
The visit by Ewura underscores the authority’s dedication to overseeing the EACOP project’s successful implementation.
According to Ezra Kavana, EACOP’s Compliance Manager, they anticipate the pipes’ arrival in the country before the end of the year to commence the pipeline trenching work. Once the pipes are buried, other project activities will continue as planned.
The crude oil pipeline will traverse eight regions in mainland Tanzania, including Shinyanga, Geita, Kagera, Tabora, Manyara, Dodoma and Tanga, covering a total of 24 districts, 134 wards, and over 180 villages.
The EACOP project, which spans from Hoima in Uganda to the coastal town of Chongoleani in the Tanga region of Tanzania, covering a total distance of 1,443 kilometres, is a pivotal endeavour aimed at facilitating the transportation of crude oil from Uganda to Tanzania and eventually to the international markets.
As Ewura continues its rigorous oversight of the project, all stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact the EACOP project will have on Tanzania’s energy landscape and its contribution to the country’s economic development.
