President Jakaya Kikwete reiterated that ongoing exploration and proven gas discoveries in Tanzania should play a significant role of alleviating poverty in the country.
President Jakaya Kikwete
Tanzania has so far made gas discoveries of about 42 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in five onshore and offshore gas fields.
At present only Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay are producing gas for generating about half of power for the national grid.
“People should realise and appreciate the benefits of the discovery for development of this country in short time to come,” Mr Kikwete made the remarks at the weekend after meeting the Chief Executive Officer of British Gas (BG), Mr Chris Finlayson.
The British company is among multinational companies involved in exploration of natural gas and oil in Tanzania and his company has already made some discoveries at its Mzia wells in Mtwara Region, with tests on the wells flowing at a maximum rate of 57 million standard cubic feet (mscf) of natural gas per day.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications yesterday, Mr Kikwete noted, however, that statements by some politicians against development of the natural resources were among challenges that the government was ready to address.
“The discovered natural gas is a very crucial resource for our country and it must be used to drive Tanzanians out of poverty,” President Kikwete told the British investor and his delegation. Adding; “It is better, therefore, that tapping the natural resource (for economic activities) should not take too long…ten years is a lot of time because our people want to see the benefits of the gas in the shortest time possible.”
He underscored the fact that BG as an investor and a partner would in due course benefit from their investments, calling for a win-win situation between the investor and the people of Tanzania. “If gas can earn us one billion US dollar per annum (about 1.6tri/-), then we can change this country into a better place to live,” the head of state remarked.
On his part, Mr Finlayson briefed President Kikwete on the progress that has been made in tapping of natural gas including provision of scholarships to Tanzanian students to pursue courses in the oil and gas sector.
Meanwhile, Mr Kikwete said that Tanzania will start producing butter and cheese locally and shun importing the products, since there was adequate raw material to make them at home.
The president has thus asked the government of The Netherlands and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government of Tanzania in bringing about reforms in dairy farming.
President Kikwete made the remarks at the State House in Dar es Salaam during a meeting with the outgoing Ambassador of The Netherlands, Dr Ad Koekkoek, who had called to bid farewell to the president.
Chanzo: in2eastafrica.net
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