57 homes connected to gas pipeline

Dar es Salaam. The first direct supply of natural gas to homes was launched in Dar es Salaam yesterday, raising new hopes of accessing the crucial energy more cheaply.

Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) inaugurated the distribution pipelines that connect to 57 initial homes.

The new system will supply gas from Ubungo main station to Mikocheni homes and will later be extended to other sections of the city.

The aim, according to TPDC, is to see most homes in Dar es Salaam connected to the natural gas supply system.

Already three gas distribution centres have been constructed in Sinza, Mwenge and Manzese sections of the city for easy of access.

TPDC board of directors chairman Michael Mwanda said 57 houses in Mikocheni have been connected to the system.

He said 13 houses and four industries in Mikocheni were initially using the compressed natural gas (CNG) which is more expensive.

“This is the first natural gas distribution infrastructure project under TPDC. With this system people will be able to buy gas in a pre-paid arrangement as they do with electricity through Luku. They will buy gas unit using special cards,” he said.

He said pipeline supplied gas was cheap compared to other types of gas and is environmental friendly.

“We hope more people will switch to using natural gas instead of charcoal and other energy sources that have proved to be bad for the environment,” he noted.

TPDC acting general manager James Andilile said the corporation was engaging Exim Bank of India to fund completion of the project that will make all city residents enjoy cheap natural gas.

He said about $8 million (over Sh12.8 billion) was to finance the project to supply gas to residents of Sinza, Mikocheni, University of Dar es Salaam, Ardhi University, Mbezi Beach, and Mikocheni Coca-Cola.

“The plan is to enable all Tanzanians use this God given gas. The few areas we have chosen are just for a start,” he said.

He said TPDC has listed about 40 industries that will be connected to the natural gas pipeline. The move, he said, will enable manufacturers to considerably cut production costs which will lead to reduction of prices of goods and services.

He said the cost of the initial pilot project stands at Sh4.6 billion, all funded by the government through TPDC. Various researches indicate that Dar es Salaam residents spend about 50,000 sacks of charcoal that is sold at Sh50,000 up to Sh60,000 per sack every day.

It is expected that the massive discovery of natural gas not only will reduce the burden of poverty among majority of Tanzanians but also conserve the environment.

Currently, the discovery is approximately 52 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas which makes Tanzania stand poised to become a major player in the industry at global level.

According to TPDC, about 61 wells have so far been drilled in Tanzania both offshore and onshore during the past 60 years.

Apart from home use and industries, natural gas is also used in producing electricity.