Govt seeks new investor for meat processing factory in Shinyanga

DODOMA: The government is seeking an investor to operate the Sinyanga meat processing plant, which was constructed in 1978 under Tanganyika Packers Limited (TPL).

Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Alexander Mnyeti, informed the National Assembly yesterday that the plant is one of three factories built in the country in the 1970s.

The deputy minister responded to a question from Special Seats MP, Dr Christina Mnzava (CCM), who inquired about the government’s plans for the plant, which has been inactive for over four decades. Dr Mnzava stated that reviving the factory would create job opportunities for many young people in Shinyanga and other regions in the Lake Zone.

She highlighted that Shinyanga is rich in livestock and reopening the factory would stimulate the local economy and benefit the entire country. She recommended that the government consider repurposing the business to maximize the use of the existing buildings and infrastructure on the site.

“The factory was a significant investment but has remained inactive for decades. It is time for the government to explore alternative uses for these buildings to save taxpayer money,” she emphasized.

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The deputy minister explained that construction of the industry began in 1975 and was completed in 1978.

Despite reaching 84% completion, the factory has never been operational since its completion.

He mentioned that the factory was leased to the investor, Triple S Beef Limited, in 2007, but the investor failed to meet the operational agreement with the government. Subsequently, in 2017, the government took back control of the factory.

Currently, the industry is under the treasury registrar as the government continues its search for a committed investor to manage the operations.

Furthermore, the deputy minister stated that the government will heed the advice of the MP to repurpose the industry and consider using the buildings for another business venture.