Tanzania: Billions of Dollars Worth Helium Deposit Discovered in Rift Valley

A vast field of helium has been discovered in a section of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania, scientists are reporting.   The scarce gas, which is used in high-tech devices such as MRI medical scanners and radiation monitors, is currently priced at about $70 per 1000 cubic feet.   A team of British and Norwegian researchers estimate that the deposit they located in Tanzania could contain about 54 billion cubic feet of helium, which puts the potential value of the find at.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 30th June 2016

East Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia Ink Crude Oil Pipeline Deal

Ethiopia signed an oil pipeline deal with Kenya on June 23, 2016, during an official visit by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to the neighbouring country. Kenya's President, Uhuru Kenyatta and the visiting PM signed the agreement to construct a crude pipeline from a coastal town Lamu, to Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.   This project aims to integrate the efforts of the two countries as part of joint infrastructure regional projects under the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 30th June 2016

Tanzania: EU Conducts Energy Study in Zanzibar

Zanzibar — Zanzibar may possibly have its own energy source if an ongoing European Union study will succeed, the House was informed.   Finance and Planning minister Dr Khalid Salum Mohamed and Energy minister Salama Aboud Talib said that research on possible alternative energy source has been going on in the isles.   Zanzibar relies on power from the National Grid from Tanzania Mainland.   The ongoing studies involve the possibility of producing power from.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Tanzania: District Council Allocates Sh80 Million for Agriculture

Kilosa — Kilosa district council has allocated Sh80 million for the purchase of farm inputs for the coming agricultural season.   Speaking to more than 200 farmers gathered at Mhenda village in the district, the Kilosa district commissioner, John Henjewele called on farmers to make good use of the research done by experts from Ilonga Agricultural Research Institute for the agriculture to be productive.   "If you follow what experts have said, then be assured.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Tanzania: New Arusha Master Plan to be Expanded

Arusha — The new master plan for Arusha will cover selected areas in neighbouring districts beyond the city boundaries, according to consultants.   Execution of the ambitious plan, prepared by Surbana Consultants Pte Ltd of Singapore, will finally begin in August this year, one of the focus being to overhaul and age-old water supply and sewerage networks.   A brief on the consultants' report availed to The Citizen indicated areas within the master plan cover will.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Tanzania: MMG Gold Mine to Start Operations Next September

MMG Gold is expected to start mining operations at Seka village, Musoma District, Musoma Region on September this year.   The Mineral and Energy Minister Prof Sospeter Muhongo said this during his visit to the mining site to inspect the progress where he was informed that the construction has reached 95 per cent.   "Earlier, the mining was scheduled to commence operations before end of June but was pushed back due to some inconveniences," he said.   The.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Tanzania: Govt to Continue Improving Roads & Communication - Minister

Dodoma — The government will continue improving and constructing roads and improve communication networks across the country.   The assurance was made by the Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Edwin Ngonyani when responding to questions raised by legislators.   A basic question by Kiteto Koshuma (Special Seats-CCM), queried what plans the government had to increase tarmac roads in Mwanza Region, which she said had only 43.67km laid with.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Tanzania: Solar Power Lights Up 480 Households

Rorya — An estimated 480 households have been connected with solar power free of charge at Manila village in Rorya District. The project has been undertaken by American Engineering Group Limited (AEG) in collaboration with Mashaka Foundation.   "I am indeed happy to see that 480 households have light, thus changing the lives of villagers," said John Mashaka, the founder of Mashaka Foundation. "We have given them everything free of charge and our aim is to.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Tanzania: Small Holder Farmers to Receive £3 million Boost

A charity organisation has received £3 million (about 9.7bn/-) grant from the UK government to support 70,000 small holder grain farmers in Tanzania and Uganda so that they can gain access to regional export markets.   The grant was provided to Farm Africa, through the Food Trade East and Southern Africa trade enhancement and promotion programme. According to Farm Africa Senior Programme Officer, Leochrista Aloyce, farmers would be linked to buyers in East Africa using an.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Rehabilitation of Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan Road Corridor Planned

Nairobi — The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has called for bids on the rehabilitation of the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero Road which is slated to start sometime this year.   According to the authority, the road project which will be carried out in two lots will have Lot 1 starting from Isebania to Kisii and lot 2 from Kisii to Ahero.   In a statement, KeNHA indicated that the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero (A1) Road forms part of the southern link of the Sirari Corridor.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Kenya: County to Receive Sh100 Million for Road Development

Nakuru County is set to receive a grant of over Sh100 million from the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) for the development of its roads.   Funding talks with the Board are at an advanced stage, County Governor Kinuthia Mbugua disclosed on Thursday.   Governor Mbugua was speaking at a road safety awareness event for boda boda riders sponsored by the roads agency at a Nakuru hotel.   "We have partnered with the Kenya Roads Board to build and maintain better roads and.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Tanzania: World Bank Approves Sh440 Billion for Rural Electrification

Morogoro — The World Bank yesterday approved a $200 million (about Sh440 billion) loan to boost connection of more Tanzanian rural households to electricity.   The World Bank board of executive directors approved the financing for the Rural Electrification Expansion Programme from the International Development Association (IDA). The new financing is a big boost to the project that is expected to bring about 2.5 million households in rural areas to the national electricity.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 24th June 2016