Parliamentary committee hails EACOP construction progress

TANGA: THE Parliamentary Budget Committee has pledged to continue pushing for the implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), saying it is of great importance to the growth of East African countries’ economies.

The committee has also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for spearheading the implementation of the project, which has already reached 39.2 per cent completion.

According to the committee, Tanzania has already benefited with 2.3tri/-  since the start of the project.

Speaking after visiting the ongoing project at Chongoleani centre in Tanga region, the committee chairman, Mr Oran Njeza, said the project is expected to bring an economic revolution to the region.

Mr Njeza said the committee is aware of the importance of the EACOP in regional economic growth and that members of the committee will continue to push for its timely and proper implementation.

Mr Njeza commended the Head of State for playing a big role in changing the country’s economy through the implementation of mega projects, including the EACOP.

“EACOP is a very big project, which was not expected to be implemented in Africa, but our strong leaders of Uganda and Tanzania have managed to implement this project. This is a big success,” he said.

“Today we are talking about transporting crude oil from Hoima, Uganda to Tanga through pipes, which is a big achievement since the proposed method also helps in protecting and conserving the environment,” he added.

The committee also directed the Ministry of Energy to emphasise the construction of pipelines for supplying gas and oil to other areas, making Tanzania a centre of energy supply in the region.

“We are also instructing TPDC to focus on promoting the EACOP project. People must know and understand what is going on in this sector,” he noted.

He said the public must be informed of the government’s efforts and commitment to the implementation of the mega project for the benefit of all Tanzanians.

Tanga Regional Commissioner, Dr Batilda Burian, said the EACOP project is very crucial in the region and has provided 900 jobs to residents of Tanga region.

She said the implementation of the project in the area is also helping in money circulation by increasing business opportunities, selling construction materials and collecting tax.

“I would like to emphasise safety during the implementation of the project. We must minimise risks and create a good environment for workers in the sector,” she explained.

Earlier, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio, said the project has already created 7,584 jobs for Tanzanians and revenue amounting to 2.3tri/-.

“We expect an increase in jobs as the implementation of the project continues,” he said.

He added that 146 Tanzanian companies are providing various services and have benefited by receiving 246 million US dollars.

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He added that the project has enabled the purchase of various materials worth 462 million US dollars and that a number of young people in the country have benefited from technology and other various skills that will be applied in other areas, including the construction of pipelines to Kenya and Zambia.

The EACOP shareholders are TotalEnergies, which holds a 62 per cent stake, UNOC (15 per cent) held on behalf of the Ugandan government and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation with a 15 per cent stake on behalf of the Tanzanian government, while CNOOC has an 8 per cent shareholding.