KATAVI: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Katavi region’s residents to fully exploit opportunities brought about the country’s abundant electricity.
The Head of State called upon them to use electricity as a catalyst for economic benefits, spurring the national development.
Emphasising the importance of electricity for both individual and industrial economic support, President Samia highlighted the CCM election manifesto’s promise to ensure sufficient electricity production to meet economic needs and connect all villages in the country.
Speaking to Mlele District residents after inspecting the Inyonga substation, she said the project is expected to enhance electricity supply and economic development not only in Katavi but across Tanzania.
“By September this year, the district and the entire region will shift from generator power to national grid electricity, significantly reducing the monthly cost of running generators, which exceeds 2bn/-,” she said.
President Samia detailed ongoing efforts by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to construct electric lines that will receive electricity from the main Ubungo station and distribute it across the region.
The project involves building three key stations, including one in Inyonga, which will receive electricity from Sikonge and supply it to Mpanda. Valued at 48bn/-, this initiative is part of a broad- er effort to ensure the region has a reliable power supply.
Complementing this, a power line project costing 116bn/- is underway to facilitate the reception and distribu- tion of electricity.
President Samia highlighted the substantial investment and urged the residents of Katavi to maintain and utilise the electricity for economic purposes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Doto Biteko, was tasked with ensuring the project’s timely completion to provide the intended benefits to the Katavi region.
TANESCO Managing Director Engineer Gissima Nyamo-Hanga explained to President Samia that the Inyonga substation would receive 132/33 KV electricity from the Ipole area sub- station.
President Samia also addressed compensation issues, assuring residents that approximately 4bn/- would be paid to complete compensation payments for those affected by the project.
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She stressed the importance of maintaining these infrastructure developments and using the electricity for productive activities.
In addition to the electricity project, the government is improving communication in the region. President Samia said the ongoing construction of 28 towers in 40 villages in the Mlele District Council will enhance radio reception and communication services in the region.
Katavi Constituency Member of Parliament, Eng Isack Kamwelwe, reported significant progress in water services, with clean and safe water coverage exceeding 83 per cent.
“Efforts include building a large dam in Nsenkwa and constructing a filter,” he said.
Kamwelwe also high- lighted the availability of health centres, schools, and paved roads in the constituency.
Katavi Regional Commissioner Mwanamvua Mrindoko detailed infrastructure improvements, including the construction of the Koga Road and bridge, which remains passable during the rainy season.
“The Kavuu bridge in Mpimbwe District Council and the Msadya river bridge have also been constructed, facilitating transportation and crop movement,” she said.
In education sector, she said President Samia’s administration has overseen the construction of 129 new schools in Katavi over the past three years.
The region’s 172 villages now have access to REA electricity, with the national grid connection nearing comple- tion.
Minister for Natural Resources, Angela Kairuki, addressed the land request from Kamsisi Village in Inyonga where an additional 15,000 hectares from government reserves have been requested.
She assured that the requests were being assessed for further action. Kairuki also noted the success of over 2,132 beekeepers in the region, generating over 21.5bn/- from honey sales, supported by the government’s provision of more than 50,000 beehives.
President Samia urged the residents of Katati, Mlele District and all other districts to maintain and protect these development projects and follow proper procedures for land acquisi- tion to avoid legal issues.
She congratulated the residents of Mlele for their developmental achievements and the implementation of the CCM party manifesto across all sectors.
