The Engineering and Construction Company for Transport Infrastructure and Electricity Distribution (ETDCO) has successfully completed the construction of the 132kV power line, spanning 102 kilometers from Tabora to Ipole.
This project will provide reliable electricity to the residents of Sikonge District and spur socio-economic development in the region.
Speaking at the launch of the new power line on April 27, 2025, in Tabora, the Acting CEO of ETDCO, CPA Sadock Mugendi, confirmed that the construction of the line is now 100% complete.
As a result, the residents of Ipole and the wider Sikonge District will benefit from a stable and dependable electricity supply, which was officially switched on at around 9:00 PM.
CPA Mugendi expressed his sincere gratitude to the government and the Ministry of Energy, through TANESCO, for trusting ETDCO with this vital project.
He further highlighted that they are now in the final stages of completing the second phase of the project, which extends from Ipole to Mlele District in Katavi Region, covering an additional 133 kilometers.
He also urged the local community to take responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure, as the government has invested significant resources in the project to benefit the people and the nation at large.
Engineer Sospeter Oralo, the Project Manager for TANESCO, shared that the Tabora-Katavi project has cost a total of 161 billion Tanzanian shillings.
The first phase is now complete, and residents of Sikonge District will have access to 12 Megawatts of electricity through the newly constructed 132kV power line.
Engineer Oralo encouraged the people of Sikonge to leverage this new power supply as an opportunity for economic growth.
He stressed that it could foster investment in various sectors, which would, in turn, increase their incomes.
He also emphasized the importance of using electricity as a clean energy source for domestic use, noting that it not only helps reduce household costs but also promotes better health and environmental sustainability.
Meanwhile, Engineer Ebenezer Makakala, the Acting Project Manager for the Tabora to Katavi project at ETDCO, mentioned that local residents in the project area had benefited from employment opportunities as casual laborers during the construction phase.
Casual workers, including Mateo Daudi, also expressed their appreciation for the government’s efforts, noting that the project has greatly benefited them.
It has provided them with much-needed income to support their families and pay for their children's school fees, improving their livelihoods and contributing to their community's welfare.