Power cuts in Simiyu disrupt business and production

Frequent power cuts in Tanzania’s Simiyu region are disrupting businesses, production and everyday activities, residents say. They are asking the government to move faster to resolve the problem.

Rosemary Mabele, a fresh-fish trader in Bariadi, said repeated outages can cause fish to spoil. Slivester Lugembe, from Maswa District, said the disruption affects households as well as businesses. “We depend on electricity for many things. What we need is a reliable service and early information when there is a fault or maintenance,” he said.

Manjale Jinasa, a resident of Itilima District, said the issue was not simply access to electricity, but obtaining a dependable supply capable of supporting the region’s rapidly growing economic activity.

“

We depend on electricity for many things. What we need is a reliable service and early information when there is a fault or maintenance.

Simiyu Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda said the government had begun construction of a power substation in the Imalilo neighborhood of Bariadi. He said 8 billion Tanzanian shillings had been allocated and that the project should be completed by October.

“The construction funds, 8 billion shillings, are in the account. The government is working to ensure the project is completed on time. Once the project is completed, it will solve the problem of power cuts in Simiyu,” Mtanda said.

He said current electricity demand in the region stood at 17.5 megawatts, while the completed substation would have capacity for 54 megawatts. Tanesco’s Simiyu manager, Twaha Kigangama, said construction was 80% complete. A separate transmission-line project from Ibadakuli in Shinyanga region to Bariadi was 60% complete.

“

The construction funds, 8 billion shillings, are in the account. The government is working to ensure the project is completed on time. Once the project is completed, it will solve the problem of power cuts in Simiyu.