EDITORIAL: Stiegler’s Gorge project can benefit everyone
The signing of the Sh6.5 trillion contract between the government and Egyptian firms for the construction of the Stiegler’s Gorge hydropower station had been much-awaited. Perhaps the most important aspect of the signing of the agreement is that it marked a major turning point in the project that has attracted so much global attention.
More so, what comes as a huge relief to, especially Tanzanians, is the clearing of the cloud of uncertainty that had shrouded the mega project. Apparently, the debate that had rocked the Stiegler’s Gorge project had sparked fears in various quarters that the plan might not work, after all.
President John Magufuli hinted at those concerns on Wednesday when he narrated the struggle that his administration went through before the signing of the contract with Egypt’s state-controlled Arab Contractors. Those who opposed the project on argued that the building of 2,113-megawatt station in the Rufiji Basin would disturb the ecosystem of the Sealous Game Reserve, one of the world’s largest animal sanctuaries and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
There have also been concerns over the impact of the project on the livelihoods of some 200,000 people - including farmers and fishermen - living downstream from the proposed 1,200 sq km reservoir. But President Magufuli has, on several occasions, allayed fears expressed by the environmentalists and lobbyists. This week, he also reiterated his desire to see the full implementation of the project, which will play a key role in providing the much-needed power to various projects the government is undertaking -- including the standard gauge railway.
And, considering that only one-third of the country’s population currently has access to electricity, it’s important that the dream to double power supply through the Stiegler’s Gorge be realised. Now, as the government rolls out this project, it needs to consider some of the recommendations by experts to ensure a that all the gray areas in the project are covered.
