Kasulu Cement Factory project delays being addressed, Bunge told

DODOMA: THE government has said it is closely monitoring progress on the long-awaited Kasulu Cement Factory project, urging the investor, TACECO Ltd of Burundi to accelerate implementation after a slow pace in completing key preparatory stages.

Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Dennis Londo told the National Assembly yesterday that the investor is still conducting a detailed feasibility study to assess the availability of essential raw materials such as clinker, gypsum and pozzolana. However, he acknowledged that the pace has been unsatisfactory.

“The investor’s progress in carrying out the feasibility study has been slow. The government continues to engage and encourage them to ensure the project moves to implementation as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Londo was responding to a basic question from Kasulu Rural MP Edibly Kinyoma (CCM), who sought to know when construction of the TACECO cement plant would begin, noting that the investor was allocated land three years ago.

In a supplementary question, the MP demanded clarification on how a feasibility study could take three years and alleged that the investor was currently farming beans and maize on the allocated land, an observation he said raised concerns among residents who expected an industrial project.

Responding, the deputy minister admitted the slow progress and said the project remains a key expectation for the people of Kigoma. He added that the ministry has no official report confirming that the investor is carrying out farming activities on the allocated plot.

“The ministry will summon the investor for discussions to establish the facts and agree on a clear strategy to ensure the project proceeds according to the initial commitments,” he said.

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Bunda Urban MP Esther Bulaya (CCM) also raised concern over the long-idle 3,173 hectares designated as an economic zone in Mara Region, saying residents have waited for more than 12 years without any investment taking off.

“When will investors be brought in to build industries that can stimulate economic growth and create jobs for youth and women in Bunda Town?” she asked.

In response, the deputy minister said the CCM election manifesto and Vision 2050 both emphasise scaling up industrial production by increasing the number of factories and promoting the use of local raw materials. He said the Ministries of Industry and Trade and that of Planning and Investment continue to promote domestic and foreign investment.

“The government has already mapped all potential investment zones, including Bunda. The key task now is sustained mobilisation to attract investors, including local institutions and companies,” he said.

He urged regional and district authorities through council meetings, District Consultative Committee (DCC) and Regional Consultative committee (RCC) sessions to align their development plans with available raw materials and work with the government in marketing investment sites to potential investors.