Tanzania Petroleum
Development Corporation (TPDC) has finally completed a feasibility study for
the construction of natural gas supply infrastructure in Dar es Salaam, Lindi
and Mtwara regions.
The construction of the said
infrastructure is set to commence in 2018 and will be completed in the
2020/2021 fiscal year. Deputy Minister for Water and Irrigation, Mr Isack
Kamwelwe, told Parliament yesterday that upon completion of the project, at
least 50,410 customers will be supplied with natural gas through modern
infrastructure.
"By July, 2017 the
government through TPDC will start implementation of the programme for
supplying natural gas to people's homes in various regions. This will enable
many Tanzanians to use natural gas for domestic use and thus protect the
environment and nature," he said.
In 2009, the government
through TPDC started the pilot project for the supply of natural gas for
domestic use in Dar es Salaam. So far three hotels, one prison, 70 houses and
36 industries use natural gas.
The deputy minister was responding
to a question from Kavuu MP (CCM), Dr Pudenciana Kikwembe, who wanted to know
the government's strategies in ensuring that the majority Tanzanians use gas
instead of firewood and charcoal that lead to environmental degradation.
Dr Kikwembe also wanted to
know if the government has any plan to use human waste from pit latrines to
generate biogas. "I would like to hear from the government if there is any
plan to use biogas that could be processed from public pit latrines such as in
prison or schools," she said.
The deputy minister said the
government is working on the idea and asked the public to protect the
environment by using natural gas instead of charcoal and firewood.
Article source: Daily News TZ allAfrica