Chaos in Mtwara:Natural gas project.

Soon after the confirmation of gas project in Mtwara violent demonstration erupted. The confirmation was announced by Prof. Peter Muhongo in the parliament saying that “the construction of Mtwara – Dar es Salaam gas pipeline will continue according to its plan.” After that in Mtwara chaos started by gangs of youths hurted stones and burning down and vandalizing houses belonging to Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and its leaders. A journalist was also attacked and TBC correspondent Kassim Mikongolo house was burnt down.

Other report said that four People’s Defense Forces soldiers died and 20 seriously injured in car accident where they were rushing from Nachingwea in Lindi Region to Mtwara in order to help in suppressing the riots. The witnesses of the accident said that, loss of control of the driver caused the accident. In total the tuck was carrying 30 soldiers.

Prof. Sospeter Muhingo said that, 36 billion has been allocated to gas processing in Lindi and Mtwara. And a US-based firmed was given a go-ahead in building the processing factory.  He added by saying that the factory  will create jobs to the people in Mtwara and also boosting the power supply to the grid and making Mtwara to be an Industrial investment area in Southern region.  He clarified by giving an example of Dangote Industries that was setting up its integrated cement plant.

He also said that from the sale from natural gas 0.3 per cent will remain in Mtwara and Lindi, and soon after the arrival of investors benefits for social services will follow. There will be an opportunity to the youth of Mtwara and Lindi to get training in gas and oil at Vocational Education Training Authority.

The pipeline to be constructed from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam will be 512 kilometre. And the cost of the project will be 1.86 trillion ($ 1.2billion). He also said that the pipeline capacity will have to transport 784 cubic feet of gas per day which will generate 3,920 MW of electricity. In referring to the recent domestic demand of 720 MW of electricity, the country will have a surplus of more than 3000 MW.

 According to Ministry of Energy and Minerals permanent secretary Eliakim Maswi , three Chinese companies  have signed a contract  July 21^st for starting the construction. In addition he said that, the project  period will be 18 months which will involve building 36 inches pipeline for 487 kilometre and 24 inch pipeline for 24kilometre, which will connect mainland to the gas source on Samanga Fungu, a small island in the Indian ocean.