CORRUPT government officials to face the music, Prof. Muhongo

Professor Sospeter Muhongo, the Energy and Minerals minister By Nasser Kigwangallah THE government has reiterated its commitment to curb corruption and embezzlement of public funds saying that it will take stern and immediate steps to those found indulging in corrupt practices. This was said by Professor Sospeter Muhongo, the Energy and Minerals minister in Dar es Salaam yesterday at a one day stakeholders meeting. The meeting was called by his ministry to show case and commitment to the public on their performance and how they have committed themselves in implementing twenty nine projects aimed at electrifying Tanzania. “I want to tell you that I and my team of experts in the ministry declare to you that we are committed in implementing various electricity projects in the country and anyone of us who fails to perform will face the wrath and ultimately will be dismissed from job outright,” he said angrily. He said Tanesco, the power utility firm, has already sacked 49 officials for being unfaithful to their work. Tanzania has coal reserves of up to 5 billion tones, more than thrice its previously stated figure of about 1.5 billion tones and sees no reason at all why Tanzania could continue to face blackout day in and day out. The country produces coal from two mines mainly for domestic power generation. He said: “Developing coal production is part of broader energy strategy, which includes exploiting recent big gas finds.” He added that the government's power generation mix will focus on generating power from natural gas, coal, hydro-power and renewable energy sources. According to him, in 2011 China's Sichuan Hongda Co. Ltd. signed a USD3 billion deal with the country to mine coal and iron ore and build a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant. Tancoal Energy, a joint venture between Australian-listed Intra Energy Corporation and Tanzania's government, runs the Ngaka coal project, while Tanzania's other mine at Kiwira is run by the state. The government, he said has plans in which Kiwira and Tancoal will produce power plants with 400 megawatts capacity. Recent oil and gas explored recently at Songo Songo in Kilwa and Mnazi Bay in Mtwara will make the country able to turn Tanzania into a hydrocarbons exporter. .......................................................................................................................