The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has urged informal traders operating within the natural gas pipeline reserve in Kinyerezi Mwisho, Dar es Salaam, to vacate the area voluntarily, citing safety risks and legal breaches.
Speaking during a public engagement on August 7, 2025, TPDC Senior Community Development Officer Oscar Mwakasege said trading within the 30-metre-wide gas corridor, particularly in Kanga and Kibaga streets—is hazardous and illegal.
“This infrastructure is critical to the national economy. Any accident, such as a gas leak or explosion, could endanger lives, disrupt energy supply, and damage investor confidence,” he said.
He noted that although residents were fully compensated during the acquisition process, some returned and built temporary structures for business, agriculture, and informal housing—violating safety regulations and encroaching on national energy infrastructure.
“Kanga and Kibaga are among the 139 urban stretches along the pipeline from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam. These two have been marked red due to repeated encroachment, making them the most vulnerable to disaster,” said Mwakasege.
He referenced the 2016 Buguruni fire, which stemmed from a pipeline leak near an informal market, as a warning. “We do not want a repeat of Buguruni. This land is not legally yours and poses serious health and safety risks,” he stressed.
Mwakasege added that disruptions to the pipeline could affect over 50 industries, 5,000 natural gas-powered vehicles, and more than 50 percent of the country’s electricity output, which is derived from natural gas.
In response, traders expressed willingness to relocate—provided that a suitable alternative location is prepared.
Tryphone Ezekiel, one of the traders, called on authorities to speed up rehabilitation of the Kanga swamp area and ensure it is commercially viable.
“We are ready to leave, but we need a space that attracts customers and accommodates all of us collectively,” Ezekiel said.
Kanga Street Chairperson Shamte Mkali confirmed that the swamp area had been earmarked following requests from the traders.
He said preparations are underway, starting with land infill, and that the local government has formally requested TPDC’s support.
“Our goal is to shift traders from the current high-risk zone to a safer, organized space. We thank TPDC for supporting this process,” he said.
