Currently, petroleum products, imported under the Bulk Procurement System (BPS), are offloaded at Dar es Salaam and Tanga ports.
Mtwara. Southern regions of Tanzania will next month start receiving fuel imported via Mtwara Port, the government said on Sunday.
Currently, petroleum products, imported under the Bulk Procurement System (BPS), are offloaded at Dar es Salaam and Tanga ports.
Importing petroleum products via Mtwara Port will bring prices of the products down for residents of Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma regions since the costs of transporting the products will be reduced.
Briefing the media about Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa’s planned visit to Mtwara and Lindi regions, the Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Mr Gelasius Byakanwa, said the port was undergoing major infrastructure development that will enable it to handle 25 million litres of petroleum products at any given time.
“Mtwara will also handle fuel consignments for neighboring countries of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, a move that will make the port busy even during non-cashew season,” he said.
Observers say the revival of Mtwara port will ease the discharge of not only transit fuel to Malawi and Zambia but also for domestic use in the southern regions.
He said the move is also expected to improve the region’s economy through stimulating business activities.
Regional authorities say the first consignment will include 10 million litres of diesel and petrol to be imported by Addax, Oilcom and G.M.
Meanwhile, Mr Gelasius Byakanwa said Mr Majaliwa will have a one-day visit of Lindi Region where he is expected to launch three power projects aimed to connect Mtwara and Lindi regions to the national grid.
“Apart from launching the projects at Mahumbika Village in Lindi Region, the Premier is expected to inspect oil infrastructure at the Mtwara Port,” said Mr Byakamwa.
Mr Majaliwa, he said, will also launch expansion of the power production plant in Mtwara that has installed two plants which have the capacity to produce 4 MW of electricity.
