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President wants power tariffs lowered
2006-01-20 08:40:29
By Judica Tarimo
President Jakaya Kikwete directed the Ministry of Energy and Minerals yesterday to find alternative sources of energy to reduce power tariffs that are now a headache to the commercial and domestic consumers.
’I was surprised to see the recommendations on power tariffs increase as I was preparing to take over the reins of leadership.
This shocked me because my idea was to reduce power tariffs,’ Kikwete said when he toured the ministry.
’I urge you to find ways of enabling Tanzanians have access to cheap and reliable power supply,’ Kikwete told the Minister for Energy, Dr Ibrahim Msabaha and ministry officials.
’At the moment, our economy depends on agriculture. We have to shift to industrial economy, but we cannot do it if power tariffs keep on going up,’ said Kikwete.
He told the ministry to seriously work on alternative sources of power – Mchuchuma and Kiwira Coal Mines and Mnazi Bay Gas projects.
’Try to explore alternative sources.
There are many of them. Look for strategic investors and mechanisms to increase production of electricity to boost the country’s economy,’ the President said.
Kikwete cautioned the ministry against hurrying to enter into questionable contracts with foreign investors.
The President also called on the ministry to review thoroughly all agreements and contracts in the mining sector to ensure that Tanzanians and the country benefited from the country’s mineral resources.
’Develop mechanisms that would enhance a ’win-win situation’ in the mining contracts,’ he noted and appealed to the ministry to help small scale miners and solve endless conflicts between commercial and small-scale miners.
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