Alfred Zacharia
Dr. James Mataragio, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, has confirmed that Tanzania and Uganda will continue to work together on energy projects, especially in the Oil and Gas sector.
Speaking on November 22, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Mataragio addressed journalists after attending a business forum between Tanzania and Uganda. He said, "We are exploring how the Oil and Gas sector can contribute to the development of these two countries. We have had various discussions aimed at advancing this sector."
Dr. Mataragio added that the key topic of the forum was finding ways to improve cooperation in the oil and gas industry. He highlighted that Tanzania and Uganda have a long history of working together, particularly on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
"The EACOP project is now 47% complete," Dr. Mataragio explained. He noted that the project is in the pipeline-laying phase, with about 52 kilometers of pipes already welded and ready to be buried underground.
Dr. Mataragio also emphasized the benefits of the project for local communities. "Tanzanians have gained capacity-building in various areas and are now actively participating in the project," he said.
Regarding employment, Dr. Mataragio shared that over 8,000 jobs have been created through the project, with the goal of reaching 10,000 jobs. This project, he said, will continue to benefit both nations in many ways.
