Tabora. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Doto Biteko, has said Tanzania’s energy sector is in safe hands under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, citing her administration’s continued funding of electricity projects aimed at transforming lives in both urban and rural communities.
Speaking on May 2, 2025 in Urambo District, Dr Biteko commended the Head of State for her unwavering commitment to ensuring all Tanzanians access reliable electricity.
“We are grateful to President Samia, who constantly reminds us that citizens must get electricity. I assure you, Madam President, that my colleagues and I will work with the urgency you demand to deliver electricity to all Tanzanians,” he said.
He made the remarks shortly after inspecting the 132/33 kilovolt Urambo power receiving, step-down, and distribution substation, where he lauded Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) for completing the project efficiently.
“I was here last year when the project was only 10 percent complete. What you’ve accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable. I feel honoured to lead a team that delivers tangible results,” said Dr Biteko.
He also praised the Electricity Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Company (ETDCO) for supervising the implementation of the substation, which has now been operational for 20 days and already increased Tanesco’s revenue by 10 percent.
He encouraged ETDCO to maintain high performance, noting that such success opens the door for future projects.
Assuring residents of Urambo and neighbouring Kaliua District of reliable power supply, Dr Biteko said the new substation has turned Tabora into a power source for Katavi and Kigoma regions.
“By the end of this month, we will decommission the Mpanda generator. Before this substation was switched on, Tanesco’s monthly collections in Urambo stood at Sh323 million. With this facility in operation, Urambo alone could generate Sh4.5 billion annually. In economic terms, our Sh44 billion investment will pay off within a short period,” he said.
Dr Biteko also commended Urambo MP Margaret Sitta for closely following up on the project, saying her dedication ensured her constituents now enjoy electricity access. He directed Tanesco to name a conference room at the site in her honour and plant a commemorative tree.
Further, he instructed the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to prioritise Urambo when rolling out electricity to underserved sub-villages.
Turning to the upcoming 2025 General Election, Dr Biteko called on citizens to engage in policy-based debates and urged continued support for President Samia, whom he described as deeply committed to national development.
In her remarks, MP Margaret Sitta thanked President Samia for funding development projects, revealing that over Sh100 billion had been disbursed to Urambo since 2021.
Of that, Sh12 billion was used for roads, Sh25 billion for education, and Sh7 billion for water infrastructure, with a major supply project from Lake Victoria still in the pipeline.
She said residents had previously contributed money to buy a generator, but they are now grateful the government funded the new power project.
Energy ministry Permanent Secretary, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, said the stable electricity supply in Urambo is the result of Dr Biteko’s strategic oversight.
“Since the substation was switched on, there has been no power outage. These are the fruits of your leadership, and the people of Urambo have every reason to be proud today,” he said.
Acting Tanesco managing director CPA Renata Ndege said the 135km transmission line from Tabora to Urambo has opened up economic and social opportunities in the region and beyond.
“The facility was energised on March 20, 2025. Tabora’s electricity demand currently stands at 28 megawatts, equivalent to 32.7 percent of the total substation capacity of 85.5 megawatts,” she said.
She gave assurances that the country has sufficient electricity and that residents are receiving the service as directed by the government.
Project engineer Dalali Runyamila said the Sh44 billion investment, which included compensation to affected residents, has added 25 megawatts of electricity, guaranteeing reliable power for the people of Urambo.
