TUNDURU: THE Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, has directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy not to grant any further extension to the contractor responsible for constructing the 220-kilovolt power transmission line from Songea to Tunduru via Masasi.
The project includes the construction of a 214.5-kilometre transmission line and a power substation in Tunduru District.
Minister Ndejembi issued the directive during an inspection visit to Tunduru in Ruvuma Region after expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of work by contractor Kalpataru. He said the company had failed to meet its contractual obligations despite the government fulfilling its payment commitments.
“The contractor’s agreement expires in September, and as you can see, there are not enough workers on site to complete the project. I am instructing the Permanent Secretary to ensure that this contractor is not granted even a single extra day,” Ndejembi said.
The minister revealed that during a visit to the project three months earlier, the contractor had suspended work, citing delayed payments as the main challenge. Following that visit, the Government paid the contractor 33bn/-. However, despite receiving the funds, the pace of construction has remained unsatisfactory.
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Ndejembi said that once the contract expires on 30 September 2026, the government will begin legal proceedings in accordance with the contract. These measures will include imposing liquidated damages on the contractor for failing to complete the project on schedule.
The minister noted that the project, which is currently 51percent complete, is part of the government’s broader strategy to connect the regions of Lindi and Mtwara to the National Grid, improving access to reliable and adequate electricity.
He added that although the contractor had previously been granted a contract extension through September 2026, it has requested another extension. The government, however, has rejected the request.