Samia assures timely project completion

PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has vowed that the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) will be completed as planned.

The Head of State expressed her commitment on Thursday as she graced the opening of the diversion channel to direct water into the dam.

Dr Samia said that when she took over the office, the project was at 37 per cent but to date it has reached 78.68 per cent of its implementation.

“I am sincerely grateful to God for allowing and giving me the ability as a leader of this country to proceed with this project … when I took over the office the project was at 37 per cent of its implementation but to date it has reached 78.68 per cent,” Dr Samia said.

“This is a historic day towards the completion of this important project which places Tanzania in the world map,” Dr Samia said.

She said the project conveys a message to the world that Tanzania is capable of doing great things which can change its image and that of the world.

“I want to assure Tanzanians that I will oversee the execution of this project so that it is completed as planned,” Dr Samia insisted.

She said that, JNHPP is one of the mega hydroelectric projects in Africa, noting that Tanzanians should be proud of the huge investment done by the government which will have multiple benefits to citizens and the country at large.

According to Dr Samia, the reservoir has the capacity to store sufficient water for generating power even during drought season, control floods and seasonal swamps and ensure reliable irrigation, among others.

The president said the project will also ensure reliable power supply for sustainable development and fulfill the dream of having such a power plant since independence.

She acknowledged the contribution by the first phase President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who came up with the idea of building a major hydropower plant in the area and the fifth phase government under President John Magufuli for initiating the execution of the project.

“We cannot talk about these achievements without honouring the contributions of other leaders… the implementation of this project started with the idea of Mwalimu Nyerere immediately after independence … other leaders did their part in different phases but due to economic situation the project could not be executed,” she said.

Dr Samia added that, during the fifth phase government through the call by the international community for countries to invest in renewable energy, Dr Magufuli decided to commence the implementation of the project to honour Mwalimu Nyerere’s idea.

The president recalled the hurdles encountered during the commencement of the project, noting that the strong leadership under  Dr Magufuli paved the way for execution of the project.

She commended the Ministry of Energy, Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO)   led by its board and all stakeholders who contributed to the realisation of the project.

Dr Samia also expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government for ensuring that the project is implemented at the agreed standards.

On December 12, 2018, at State House in Dar es Salaam before President, Dr John Magufuli and Republic of Egypt Prime Minister, Dr Mostafa Madbouly, TANESCO signed a deal with consortium of Egypt companies, Arab Contractors and Jv Elsewedy Electric, which won the tender to construct Nyerere Hydropower Project.

TANESCO handed the project area to the contractor on February 14, 2019. The contractors are supposed to complete the construction in 42 months which includes six months for mobilisation and 36 months for construction.

On July 26, 2019, the late President Magufuli laid a foundation stone for the project.