Dr. Biteko
has urged the TANESCO Board to focus on developing diversified energy sources,
expressing his gratitude to the President Samia for her strong leadership and
close supervision of government institutions.
Speaking
in Dar es Salaam on September 15, 2024, during the inauguration of the TANESCO
Board of Directors, Dr. Biteko highlighted the importance of continuing key
energy projects.
He
highlighted the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, which has already started
generating 705 megawatts of electricity for the national grid, urging the Board
to ensure the project is completed on time so that the country can benefit
fully.
Dr. Biteko
stressed the need to manage other important projects, such as power generation,
transmission, and distribution.
He
mentioned the Malagarasi project in Kigoma and the Kishapu solar project in
Shinyanga as examples. He also called for the development of geothermal energy.
Dr. Biteko
commended the new TANESCO Board for ensuring reliable electricity and improving
customer services.
He warned
the Board members not to involve themselves in brokerage activities related to
the company’s tenders.
He said
Tanzanians want to pay for electricity based on their actual usage, not more.
He also encouraged promoting the use of clean energy for cooking.
Dr. Biteko
said the Ministry has a quarterly performance review to track progress, and he
urged the Board to monitor the performance of its staff.
The
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Felchesmi Mramba, noted that
complaints about TANESCO have decreased since the new Board was appointed. This
shows that the Board has been doing a good job managing the company.
The
Chairman of the TANESCO Board, Dr. Rhimo Simeon Nyansaho, said the Board has
been receiving strong support from the Ministry.
He also
noted that the Board includes members with qualifications and expertise from
various fields.
Dr.
Nyansaho said they have been working with the Ministry to solve challenges,
such as electricity availability. He noted that this issue has improved, and
the focus is now on distributing electricity more effectively.
He also
emphasized the importance of supporting local contractors in TANESCO projects.
He said this would help keep more money within the country and stimulate the
economy.
While
foreign contractors should not be excluded from large tenders, local
contractors should be given opportunities.
Dr.
Nyansaho promised that the Board would continue working closely with TANESCO’s
management to ensure the proper use of the company’s resources.
Dr. Biteko
had appointed the eight-member TANESCO Board on March 18, 2024.