Transport Minister Prof. Makame Mbarawa has directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to intensify oversight of the contractor building the country’s new large-scale oil storage facility, insisting that the project must be completed on schedule and to the highest standards.
Prof. Mbarawa issued the directive during an inspection tour of the project in Dar es Salaam, where he also extended gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for approving a TZS703 billion investment aimed at transforming Tanzania’s energy security.
He said the new storage facility is a strategic safeguard that will help the country stabilise fuel prices during global market shocks, reduce operational costs and enhance national preparedness.
“We thank President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her strong vision and commitment to securing Tanzania’s economic future through major strategic projects like this one,” said Prof. Mbarawa.
“We want to assure her that we will not disappoint. We will supervise this project strictly according to its contractual standards, and by August next year, we expect it to be fully completed.”he added
TPA Deputy Director General Baraka Mdima reported that the project is 33.57 percent complete, covering both the design stage and ongoing construction.
He said foundations for the tanks have been fully established, along with several supporting facilities.
Prof. Mbarawa noted that once operational, the project will dramatically shorten vessel turnaround times.
Oil tankers that currently take 22 days to discharge fuel will require just five days, while pumping operations will be reduced from seven days to one, significantly improving efficiency at the port.
He added that the facility will be one of Tanzania’s largest oil storage investments. While the TIPA facility was the first major development of its kind, its storage capacity is considerably smaller compared to the ongoing project, which is designed to provide greater national resilience.
Prof. Mbarawa emphasised that the government is committed to strengthening energy infrastructure to ensure the country remains stable, competitive and prepared in the face of global market disruptions.