Tanzania: Stiegler hydropower project will create more than 5,000 jobs

By John Nditi in Morogoro

At least 5,400 Tanzanians are on the verge of finding a job when Stiegler Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station (SGHPS) is commissioned, generating more than 2,100 MW.

Energy Minister Medard Kalemani told the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, which recently visited the site, that 5,000 Tanzanians would be employed as temporary workers and 400 others would be employed on permanent contracts.

The parliamentary committee, which visited the site to evaluate the mobilization procedures, was chaired by its chairman, Danstan Kitandula.

According to Kalemani, between 3,000 and 5,000 Tanzanians will be employed during construction, while between 250 and 400 will get permanent jobs after construction.

"Another 400 Tanzanians will be employed when the project starts generating 2,225 MW, which means they will be employed after construction," he said.

He added, "Job opportunities will help Tanzanians to earn income and improve their lives."

According to Dr. Kalemani, the implementation of the project will improve the livelihoods of Mloka villagers from Rufiji district in the Cost region and villagers from Kisaki in the Morogoro region.

He added that the project would provide electricity to 37 villages in Kibiti and Chalinze. A total of 12 villages will be connected to electricity as part of the Tanzania Rural Energy Agency (REA) program.

The government signed a construction agreement with Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric of Egypt in December 2018.

After the signing of the contract, the president of the National Assembly, Mr. Job Ndugai, reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to support the implementation of the hydroelectric project. Ndugai commended the government for realizing what he described as a "historical landmark".

He added: "As a Parliament, we will support the initiative by allocating sufficient funds to make this project successful and useful."

The project is expected to cost 6.5tri / -. On October 4, 2018, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa visited the construction site and asked all Tanzanians and experts to effectively play their part in ensuring the proper implementation of the project.

In February of this year, the government sold the site to the Egyptian entrepreneur. The move has paved the way for the contractor to formally start work that will benefit an additional 2,100 MW from the national grid.