AfricaPress-Tanzania: LULINDI MP Jerome Bwanausi (CCM) has raised concern over delays in mobile network rollout in villages of Sindano and Lipumburu while four more villages in the area have no installation plan for a telecommunications tower.
The lawmaker said there was no telecommunications network coverage in villages bordering Tanzania and Mozambique.
He said a contractor who was awarded the job to install the telecommunications tower in Sindano and Lipumburu villages had not completed work.
He went on asking the government to highlight a timeframe in which the project would be completed. Bwanausi, also asked the government to explain when Nanyoyo, Chikolopolo, Mapili and Mnaviva villages would also install a telecommunications tower.
Minister for Works, Transport and Communication Isack Kamwelwe responding yesterday told the MP that the government was implementing various projects targeting to improve access to telecommunications services.
The minister announced that in July 2019, the state-owned firm, Universal Communication Access Service Fund (UCSAF), offloaded a tender for improving telecommunications signals in Chikolopola Ward to benefit Chikolopora, Mapili, Mkachima, Mkaliwata and Namyomyo villages.
“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get a bidder,” the minister said emphasising that it was resolved that the project be included among the projects that awaited budgets to be implemented by UCSAF during the 2019/20 fiscal year.
Mr Kamwelwe said UCSAF had been working to improve telecommunications coverage across the country, implementing projects in collaboration with service providers.
Records show that UCSAF signed an agreement with Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) on the first project to improve services in Lipumburu Ward. However, not all villages in the ward had quality signals.
The minister attributed the problem to topological factors as well as the size of the ward. “UCSAF signed a third agreement with TTCL and has so far released initial funds,” he said.
Regarding Sindano project, the minister said UCSAF had signed a MoU with Tigo during the third phase in June 2018. Tigo completed the installation of a telecommunications tower in the village last year.
