Isles unveil plan to end power outages
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR has outlined robust plans to strengthen the energy sector and address frequent power outages through the use of alternative energy solutions.
Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals, Nadir Abdullatif Al-Wardy, said the government is implementing short-term strategies aimed at ending persistent electricity disruptions and improving service reliability for citizens.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Sheikh Saleh Ahmed El-Hemiri, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Zanzibar, who visited the ministry’s offices at Maisara to exchange views on strengthening cooperation in this vital sector.
Mr Al-Wardy said the ministry has already begun implementing strategic measures to improve the delivery of essential services, noting that the meeting would significantly enhance cooperation through the exchange of technical expertise and operational experience in the water and electricity sectors.
“To address frequent power outages, we have signed several agreements, including solar energy and battery storage projects and we also have a dedicated power storage facility that will be commissioned soon to resolve the current challenges,” he said.
According to the minister, the government has prepared alternative solutions, including securing construction materials from Mainland Tanzania for large-scale investors.
He added that in the water sector, the government is continuing to expand water pipeline networks across regions and districts, while installing new machinery at various boreholes to eliminate the problem of unsafe and contaminated water.
“All these efforts are being undertaken to improve service quality and eliminate public inconvenience in the shortest possible time,” the minister said.
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On his part, UAE Consul General Saleh Ahmed El-Hemiri said his office is ready to cooperate with the ministry in various areas, including technical expertise and capacity-building training for staff, to ensure improved service delivery. He noted that Zanzibar and the UAE share longstanding friendly and brotherly relations, pledging to open doors for investors and other well-wishers to visit and invest in Zanzibar in support of the islands’ development.
“Many people travel to Zanzibar every day, and our relationship is based on friendship and brotherhood,” he said.
“We are ready to facilitate the exchange of experts to work together in the key sectors of water and energy, while also enabling Zanzibar professionals to gain experience in the UAE.” Mr El-Hemiri described the meeting as the beginning of a promising journey for Zanzibar and its people, stressing that the UAE’s extensive experience in the energy sector would greatly benefit closer cooperation.
The meeting marked the first formal engagement between the two sides, focusing on joint collaboration in critical sectors particularly energy as reliable electricity and water infrastructure continue to play a key role in attracting visitors and investors to Zanzibar.
