Rusumo Electricity Project has Cross-Cutting Benefits for Tanzanian Government
The government of Tanzania has stated that the Kagera River Waterfall Power Generating Project, which is being implemented in Rusumo, Ngara district, has cross-cutting benefits for Tanzanians.
This was stated on September 28, 2020 by the Government Team from Tanzania who is overseeing the Project including the Directors of the Board and the Technical Committee, during a working visit aimed at inspecting various social projects implemented through the respective Project.
Speaking after the visit, the Team Leader, Engineer Innocent Luoga who is a Board Member of the relevant Committee, said apart from electricity, the project will benefit Tanzanians through various social projects which he said are in good stages of implementation.
Engineer Luoga who is also the Assistant Commissioner for Electricity from the Ministry of Energy explained that social projects being implemented include those related to health, education, water, livestock and agriculture sectors.
Commenting on the Government's goal to visit the ongoing community projects, Engineer Luoga said it was to see the progress made in its implementation, identify the challenges and find solutions to enable the projects to be completed on time.
"We have visited primary and secondary schools, clinics, health centers and water projects which are all being implemented here in Ngara and we are satisfied that for the most part it has reached a good stage and some of it has been completed."
However, he explained that his team has identified the challenge of some projects delay, especially the Rusumo Water Project which has been delayed due to lack of building permits.
He said he and his colleagues have solved the relevant challenges by directing the permits to be obtained as soon as possible so that the contractor can complete the project on time.
For other controversial projects involving school buildings and health facilities, the Team urged the relevant contractors to complete the work on time, in accordance with standards and quality.
Regarding the benefits of electricity, Engineer Luoga explained that when the Rusumo Project is completed it will generate 80 megawatts which will be distributed to the three countries involved, which are Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi each to get 27 megawatts.
He said that in Tanzania, the project will help increase electricity in the national grid as well as improve access to energy in Kagera Region.
"As directed by our President, Hon. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, that Kagera Region be included in the national grid, so the completion of the Rusumo Project will enable that."
For his part, Ngara District Commissioner, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mtenjele, speaking to the team in his office before the start of the visit, commended the good work being done which he said has brought great benefits to his people.
“The infrastructure that has been built is unique. We were not used to seeing Primary Schools having an Administration Building but through this Project it has been done and it is really very interesting,” he explained.
Herman Hume, District Coordinator of Development Projects at the district level, explained that the social projects that are being implemented in Ngara district were allocated five million US dollars which is equivalent to about 12 billion Tanzanian shillings.
Other participants in the three-day tour are Engineer Salum Inegeja from the Ministry of Energy and Engineer Costa Rubagumya from Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd (TANESCO) who are members of the Rusumo Project Technical Committee.
Also, the Team is accompanied by Engineer Patrick Lwesya, Rusumo Project Manager, Gaspar Mashingia, Social Development and Resettlement Officer as well as several Officers from Ngara District Council.
PICTORIAL OF TANZANIA BOARD & PSC MEMBERS ON A VISIT TO INSPECT VARIOUS LADP SOCIAL PROJECTS ON 28-30TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
Ngara District Commissioner,
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mtenjele (left), speaking to the Tanzania Government Team in charge of the Rusumo Power Project before embarking on a working visit aimed at inspecting various social projects implemented through the respective Project on 28th September, 2020.
The Tanzanian government team in charge of the Rusumo Power Project inspecting water tank being built in Ngome hamlet, Kasulo village, Ngara district in Kagera region on 28th September, 2020.
The Government team from Tanzania in charge of the Rusumo Electric Project inspecting the residence of teachers and classrooms at Mumiterama Secondary School, in Ngara district, Kagera region built through LADP of Rusumo Project
RPCL Board Members and Project Steering Committee Members/ Rusumo Project from Tanzania having a discussion outside the Kyenda Village Dispensary located in Ngara district, Kagera region after inspecting it during a working visit on 28th September, 2020.
R-L: Eng. Innocent Luoga, Assistant Commissioner for Electricity from the Ministry of Energy/ Project Board Member, Eng. Salum Inegeja, Ministry of Energy and Eng. Costa Rubagumya from TANESCO/Members of the Project Technical Committee.