Following the increasing fuel exploration and drilling of local natural gas, Tanzania has the vision of cutting its fuel import by 28 per cent.
This development was revealed on Wednesday by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Dr Dotto Biteko. He made the revelation after witnessing the signing of the cooperation agreement for the natural gas project in the Ruvuma block (Mainland) between the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Ndovu Gas Drilling Company, as gathered by AllAfrica.
Part of the highlight of the event also involved the signing of documents for establishing relations to build infrastructures to distribute the natural gas.
According to Biteko, the government has been working on measures to reduce the dependence on fuel in the country, by making natural gas readily available for individuals and industries.
“The strategy of the Ministry of Energy is to ensure the implementation of the gas policy, which includes ensuring wide distribution of clean energy and reaches various customers easily and affordably. As a nation we should look into things that will quickly get people out of poverty,” Dr Biteko said.
According to All Africa, the minister said that 80 per cent of the gas produced in the country currently, is used as a source of electricity to generate power, while 38 per cent is for industrial use and 10 per cent for domestic use.
TPDC Director General Mr Mussa Makam, while explaining the project, said that it will increase the availability of natural gas, which means an improved economy for the country.
“The new project is expected to produce 60 million cubic feet per day up to 140 million feet in the first three years,” he said, adding that after completion of the contract will enable other activities to be carried out, including the drilling of wells to produce gas,” he explained.
The agreement is the fourth to be signed to develop gas and increase its accessibility in the domestic market, where the first project was signed in 2007, the second in 2011, and the third in 2016.
