- Kwa nini hawa watu hawawezi kuwa na kauli na interest moja?
- Inakuwaje Makamna Jr yuko informed kuhusu DOWANS zaidi ya Waziri na MD wa TANESCO?
- Wanatest vipi kwa kuingiza umeme kwenye gridi bila ya TANESCO kujua?
In an unprecedented turn of events, those said to be the owners of the controversial power firm Dowans have written to Tanesco, expressing readiness to forgive the 94bn/- compensation. This raises hopes for an end to the protracted legal dispute between.
In fact, they (Dowans) are ready to forgive the debt, and they have already written to Tanesco, January Makamba, chairman of the parliamentary watchdog overseeing energy and mineral sector, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The latest revelation is a relief to millions of Tanzanian taxpayers who would have shouldered the 94bn/- compensation for breach of contract by Tanesco in the wake of the ruling made by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).According to Makamba, Dowans has opened its doors for talks with Tanesco on how to amicably settle the deadlock.Makamba advised Tanesco to sit down with Dowans in an attempt to resolve the multi-billion legal dispute, which has negatively impacted on the countrys power sector coupled with load shedding, blackouts and other related problems.
Negotiations are a good strategy
we advise Tanesco to start negotiations with Dowans, since the latters doors are open, said the Bumbuli Member of Parliament.He said if Tanesco was willing to enter into negotiations with Dowans, the energy watchdog would keenly monitor modalities and nature of the talks to avoid problems.According to Makamba, Dowans was ready to forgive 94bn/- compensation, as per the ruling of ICC, but insisted that other service-related debts which Tanesco owes Dowans would not be cancelled.
But Tanesco Managing Director, William Mhando said the power utility
was not aware of the visit by a person who claimed to be the owner of Dowans, Suleiman Mohamed Yahya Al Adawi.We have not talked to him, and we are not aware of his visit, said Mhando, adding: If this (alleged owner of Dowans) is coming for a good intention, we will talk with him for public interest.
Energy and Minerals Minister, William Ngeleja declined to comment on the controversy, on the premise that the matter was still in court.
I cannot talk about it, because its against the laws of the land, said Ngeleja briefly.However, the parliamentary energy watchdog proposed that the Dowans gas-plant should be switched on to rescue the nation from power crisis, provided that the move does not disrupt on-going talks between Tanesco and Dowans on 94bn/ compensation and related issues.
Makamba said Dowans owners did not come to Tanzania to switch on the generation plant.
They came to test their generation systems.On Tuesday, energy and mineral parliamentary committee in collaboration with the business community proposed Dowans plant be switched on while negotiations for the 94bn/- compensation continue to rescue the countrys economy.The committee Chairman January Makamba said the ongoing power rationing had already forced 50 industries to close down according to the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI).
Makamba said this in Dar es Salaam on Monday shortly after meeting members of the business community from the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) aimed at discussing the impact of power rationing on their businesses and the way forward.According to CTI, some of the industries have reported losses of up to USD 200, 000 per day, while Twiga Cement alone has reported 20m/- loss per day due to power rationing prompting the committee to look into how best to advise the government to come up with immediate solution to the rationing problem.
We are tasked to advise the government on energy matters and in this case, we feel the Dowans power plant should be switched on as an immediate remedy against power rationing, said Makamba.