NDEJEMBI URGES PURA TO PREPARE LOCALS FOR OIL AND GAS PROJECTS

The Vice President of Tanzania, Deogratius Ndejembi, has directed the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) to prepare a strategic plan to enable Tanzanians to fully participate in major oil and natural gas projects, including the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project expected to begin implementation in the country.

Ndejembi issued the directive in Dar es Salaam after witnessing the signing of exploration licenses for oil and natural gas in the Mnazi Bay North, West Songo Songo, Eyasi-Wembere, and Lindi-Mtwara blocks.

He emphasized the importance of preparing Tanzanians especially the youth early so that when the implementation phase of these projects come to, they possess the required skills and qualifications.

He stated that the plan should take into account the skills currently held by young people and establish strategies to develop them further so they can benefit from employment opportunities and active participation in these major strategic projects.

For his part, the Minister for Energy, Dr. Juma Homera, stated that the Government's commitment is to guarantee citizens benefit from oil and natural gas projects by prioritizing Tanzanian private companies in executing various project activities.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy responsible for Oil and Gas, Dr. James Mataragio, noted that through these licenses, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is expected to be awarded the Songo Songo block after the expiration of the current investor's license, PanAfrican Energy Tanzania.

On his part, the Director General of PURA, Engineer Charles Sangweni, stated that the authority will continue working closely with TPDC to ensure transparency in exploration, drilling, and development activities for oil and natural gas.

He added that activities in these blocks have already commenced through preliminary permits issued by PURA.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of TPDC, Mussa Makame, said that the success of local content involvement in strategic projects should be measured by the economic benefits derived from their participation.

The signing of these licenses was preceded by the inauguration of Likon’go Primary School in Lindi Region and the announcement of a natural gas discovery in the Mnazi Bay block.