Tanzania and Uganda have taken a significant step towards making Tanga a new energy hub in East Africa. The Joint Technical Committee between the two countries recently met in Tanga to hand over a site to Worley Consulting Group Limited, a consultant tasked with conducting preliminary feasibility studies for the project. The site will host infrastructure for receiving, storing, and transporting refined petroleum products.
The project is part of a cooperation agreement between Tanzania and Uganda to develop strategic projects in the energy sector. The infrastructure is expected to add value to the crude oil value chain that will pass through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). This will help reduce reliance on imports of refined petroleum products and strengthen security of petroleum product supplies in the region.
According to Grace Mwakasege, Assistant Commissioner for the Downstream and Midstream Petroleum Division at the Ministry of Energy, the project is strategic and will make Tanga an important hub for oil and gas activities in East Africa. The project is expected to create more business opportunities across the region and boost economic activities.
Engineer Geofrey Ogwang, Uganda's Assistant Commissioner from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, noted that the cooperation will create employment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, and boost economic activities for the people of Chongoleani and Tanga at large. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy.
The consultant will conduct preliminary feasibility studies, including soil testing, environmental assessments, and preliminary design of the infrastructure. This will enable the development of a comprehensive plan for the project and ensure that it is implemented in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
The project is expected to reduce reliance on imports of refined petroleum products and strengthen security of petroleum product supplies in the region. This will have a positive impact on the economies of Tanzania and Uganda and the wider East African region.
The implementation of the project is a significant step towards achieving the goals of the cooperation agreement between Tanzania and Uganda. The two countries are working together to develop strategic projects in the energy sector and promote economic growth and development in the region.
Key points
- The project will add value to the crude oil value chain and create more business opportunities across East Africa.
- The cooperation will create employment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, and boost economic activities in the region.
- The project will help reduce reliance on imports of refined petroleum products and strengthen security of petroleum product supplies.
