Biteko orders removal of Tanesco subsidiary boss over poor performance
Dar es Salaam. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has taken stern action following dissatisfaction with the implementation of an electricity project.
Biteko inspected the construction project of the Uhuru Electricity Substation located in the Urambo district of Tabora region and expressed his dismay with the progress of the power line construction (132 kV) from Tabora to Urambo being implemented by the subsidiary company of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) ETDCO.
The construction work for the Uhuru electricity substation is divided into two parts, with the electricity substation construction being carried out by the TBEA company from China, which has reached 84 percent completion.
Meanwhile, the power line construction from Tabora to Urambo (115 km) is being executed by ETDCO, which has only achieved 10 percent of the project.
Due to the sluggish progress of the power line construction, Biteko has directed the Tanesco Board to remove the General Manager of ETDCO, Mr Mohamed Abdallah, who has shown a lack of prioritization in executing strategic projects under the company's supervision.
"On September 17, 2023, I sent the Deputy Minister of Energy, Judith Kapinga, to inspect this project, who gave instructions for its completion. I also sent the former Chairman of the Tanesco board, Major General Paul Simuli, to inspect the project on December 17, 2023, and he gave instructions that have not been implemented. The risk here is that TBEA will complete the work early in June, but electricity will still not be available at the substation because the power line will not be completed," said Biteko.
He added that the delayed completion of the power line from Tabora to Urambo will lead the government to pay TBEA for the cost of the project site without work, which amounts to 0.2 percent of the project cost, resulting in a loss for the government.
He mentioned that both TBEA and ETDCO were paid an initial payment of 50 percent for project implementation, but ETDCO is progressing slowly while TBEA is working on schedule.
Regarding electricity projects in Tabora region, Biteko said that the region will connect two other regions to the national grid, as electricity from the region will also reach Kigoma and Katavi through the Uhuru substation and will later be transmitted to the Nguruka substation before reaching the Kidahwe substation in Kigoma region to connect citizens to the national grid.
Biteko stated that the government intends to provide electricity to citizens and not just words, which is why various projects are being implemented, including the Julius Nyerere project, where one generator is already producing 235 megawatts while another will be completed this month to add another 235 megawatts, thus completely resolving the electricity shortage challenge.
