George Simbachawene

The government plans to connect all customers who have applied for electricity services before the end of this year, Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals George Simbachawene has said.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Ngorongoro legislator (CCM) Kaika Saning’o Telele who had wanted to know when the government will ensure that Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has equipment to enable it supply power to its customers on time.

Telele cited shortage of electricity poles, meters and cables as the cause of delay to connect power to customers in Loliondo, saying there were reports that the government had been selling electricity poles to neighboring Kenya and DR Congo.

In response, the deputy minister said Tanesco had enough poles, meters and cables to connect the service to its customers, adding: “The only problem is increased demand from consumers,” he said.
Simbachawene assured the House that the government is planning to ensure all applicants are supplied with electricity services before September this year.

Earlier, in his main question, Longido Legislator (CCM) Michael Lekule Laizer wanted to know when the government will supply electricity from Kenya to Namanga and Longido.

The deputy minister said the government through the Rural Energy Agency (REA) in coordination with Tanesco are implementing the project and that about 161 electricity poles were needed to accomplish the project.

“Already the government has sent 141 poles and electricity cables in the first phase of implementing the project…we believe all the needed materials will be deployed to complete the project,” he said.