Residents of Lindi Region are expected to benefit from improved social services and broader economic opportunities once Tanzania’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project becomes operational, with local communities projected to receive about US$10 million through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The Minister for Energy, Mr Ndejembi, said the project will also contribute significantly to national revenue through various streams, including withholding taxes and corporate income tax, reinforcing the country’s public finances and supporting long-term development priorities.
Speaking during a meeting with executives of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) at the Ministry of Energy offices in Mtumba, Dodoma, the minister said the LNG project planned for implementation at Likong’o Village in Lindi Region is a strategic national investment that must be implemented in strict compliance with existing laws, regulations and guidelines to ensure Tanzanians derive maximum benefit from their natural gas resources.
He said local government authorities in project areas are expected to benefit directly, as councils will implement development projects aimed at improving social services and economic infrastructure for surrounding communities.
Mr Ndejembi noted that beyond community-level benefits, the LNG project is expected to unlock opportunities across other productive sectors of the economy, including mining and related industries, by stimulating demand for goods, services and supporting infrastructure.
According to the minister, the project’s spill-over effects are likely to accelerate economic growth, strengthen local value chains and create employment opportunities for Tanzanians during both the construction and operational phases.
He also underscored the importance of early public awareness and engagement, calling for timely education of citizens on the scope of the LNG project, its expected benefits and its contribution to national development.
He said informed communities are more likely to support and participate meaningfully in large-scale strategic investments.
In the same meeting, Mr Ndejembi urged TPDC experts and technical teams to uphold patriotism and place national interest at the centre of all decisions related to the project’s implementation.
He stressed the need to prioritise local content, transparency and accountability to ensure Tanzanians benefit fully from employment opportunities, business participation and technology transfer arising from the LNG project.
The LNG project is expected to position Tanzania as a competitive player in the global energy market while simultaneously transforming livelihoods in Lindi Region through improved infrastructure, enhanced social services and expanded economic opportunities.