Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE progress on the construction project of Ifakara electricity substation, which is expected to cost 23bn/-, has pleased the Rural Energy Board (REB).
Chairman of the board, Advocate Julius Kalolo, noted this over the weekend in Ifakara town, Kilombero District, when members of the board visited the project sites to update themselves over progress and see the implementation of its recent directives.
The substation is constructed by the AEE Power EPC.S.A.U Company and the other project for supplying power in rural areas is implemented by Burhani Power Engineers LTD.
The implementation of the project was delayed due to effects of Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the delivery of raw materials. The chairman of the board said due to the delays the board directed a project manager be available at site all the time as per the contract requirement to speed up the construction.
The board had also ordered recruitment of more workers to boost workforce at the site so that construction is completed in May, 2022. On his part, Director General of the REB, Eng Amos Maganga, said the duty of the board was to ensure that electricity reaches all citizens in rural areas.
Maganga said all directives issued by the board over the project have been put under specific strategy for implementation.
Mr Mganga further noted that by next September all works will be completed and transformers will be brought for installation in November. He assured that by March or April next year, the construction will be completed and handed over to the government for operations to start. Once operational, the project will greatly contribute to providing reliable power to Ifakara Town and its environs.
Commenting, project Manager Francis Kahumbi, said they would ensure that the construction work is completed within time. The project has been completed by 50 per cent, which is a good step, so far.
Initially, a project manager from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd (TANESCO), Mr Didas Lyamuya, said the project is funded by the government and the European Union (EU).
