Dar es Salaam. The Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to a contractor responsible for a major electricity transmission project in southern Tanzania to return to site and resume work immediately.
The directive targets Kalpataru Projects International Limited, which is implementing the 220-kilovolt electricity transmission line from Songea to Mahumbika through Tunduru and Masasi.
Mr Ndejembi issued the order on March 7, 2026, during a working visit to Tunduru District in Ruvuma Region.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of implementation of the project, which is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen electricity supply in the southern regions.
Under the contract, Kalpataru is responsible for constructing key power substations in Tunduru, Masasi and Mahumbika.
However, the minister said the contractor had failed to return to the project site despite earlier commitments.
Mr Ndejembi instructed that the contractor should not be awarded any other government project until the transmission line project is completed.
He also directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy to issue a formal warning letter to the contractor.
The minister said the government had previously held discussions with the company’s leadership in Dodoma and agreed that work would resume within 25 days after the firm was paid outstanding claims dating back to December 2025.
According to the minister, the government honoured the payment, but the contractor has yet to mobilise equipment or personnel to the project site.
“This contractor is moving at a very slow pace. They were paid in December and we agreed that within 25 days they would have returned to site and resumed work. That period has already elapsed and nothing is happening,” Mr Ndejembi said.
He noted that the project was originally scheduled for completion within two years and was expected to be handed over by the end of this year.
However, progress has reached only about 50 percent so far.
The minister stressed that the transmission line project forms part of the government’s strategy to connect the southern regions of Ruvuma Region, Lindi Region and Mtwara Region to the national electricity grid.
Once completed, the project is expected to enhance reliable power supply in Lindi and Mtwara, areas that have historically faced electricity shortages and limited grid coverage.
“People in the southern regions need reliable electricity. The government has prioritised resolving this challenge and has allocated funds for the implementation of this project. It is unacceptable for a contractor to delay such an important undertaking,” he said.
Mr Ndejembi warned that further action would be taken if the contractor fails to comply with the latest directive.
“After the warning we are issuing, if the contractor continues to delay the work, the government will take additional measures,” he added.
