TPDC: Over 2,500 households connected to gas pipeline

Mariam Said and Sauli Giliard

DODOMA: A TOTAL of 2,515 households has been connected to the natural gas pipeline network, according to...

Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC)’s latest report.

Presenting a performance report to reporters in Dodoma recently, Corporation director General Mussa Makame mentioned areas that are covered by pipelines in Mtwara, Lindi, Pwani and Dar es Salaam.

He said TPDC is collaborating with the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to expand the network to support the government’s clean cooking drive championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“TPDC is working with the private sector to establish Mini-LNG projects, enabling nationwide access to natural gas,” Mr Makame told scribes in the capital city.

He explained that the Dar es Salaam–Chalinze Natural Gas Pipeline Project is now underway, with the section from Kinyerezi to Chalinze already completed. Final soil assessments are currently being conducted along the entire route.

He noted that a feasibility study is also ongoing and construction is scheduled to start in January 2027 and is expected to take 15 months.

Once completed, the TPDC boss said the project will open new industrial investment opportunities, generate youth employment and expand the customer base for natural gas in the region.

Mr Makame added that as TPDC executes several strategic oil and gas projects, they are generating multiplier effects that contribute not only to national economic growth but also create employment opportunities, foster skill development and encourage youth participation in the energy sector.

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According to him, approximately 79 per cent of TPDC’s workforce are youth, who have been trained in various aspects of energy sector operations.

“This reflects the government’s commitment to empowering young Tanzanians to lead in this strategic sector,” he added.

He mentioned key opportunities for youth generated from TPDC projects as direct and indirect employment opportunities and on-the-job training during project implementation.

Others are service contracts in engineering, transport, construction, supply, technology and professional services.

Under the internship programmes, he explained that about 60 youth annually gain practical experience in energy sector management and operations, particularly in the natural gas sub-sector.