Tanesco director directed to fix turbines before leaving

Minister of Energy Medard Kalemani has directed Director of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), Dr Tito Mwinuka, to remain in Mtwara Region for extra three days, while insisting on taking action against a power generation plant manager.

Mr Kalemani said this on Monday September 16 after visiting the plant to view how power was being generated for Lindi and Mtwara regions.

He clarified that the power plant director was supposed to remain in the region to supervise the fixing of two turbines so that residents could enjoy 12 megawatts instead of the current eight megawatts produced by four turbines.

“I admit there has been negligence because these machines were working without spare machines. The situation is akin to driving a car without a spare tire. So, I have directed the Tanesco director that he has to ensure all over the country there must be spares,” said Mr Kalemani.

The minister called upon Tanzanians to stop working out of habit and residents of Lindi and Mtwara regions to understand that the Tanesco director was remaining in the region to help fix the machines to minimise power woes.

The minister added they had placed orders for new two turbines to augment power to 22 megawatts for Lindi and Mtwara regions as currently there was a need for 16 megawatts.

For his part, Mr Mkulungwa Chinumba noted that power supply in the region was not satisfactory due to increased power consumption and the breakdown of the turbines, saying, however, that efforts were being made to fix the machines.