Tunduru: The Minister of Energy, Mr. Deogratius Ndejembi, has given 14 days to the contractor implementing the 220 kV power transmission project from Songea to Mahumbika via Tunduru and Masasi to return to the project site and resume work immediately.
The move was taken following dissatisfaction with the speed of implementation of the project being implemented by Kalpataru Projects International Limited, which is responsible for building power substations in Tunduru, Masasi and Mahumbika districts.
Issuing the order on March 07, 2026 in Tunduru district, Ruvuma region, Mr. Ndejembi said the contractor should not be given any other government work until he completes the project, whose implementation has been delayed contrary to the terms of the contract.
The Minister has also instructed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy to write a warning letter to the contractor, explaining that they had already met with the company’s management in Dodoma and agreed that they would start work within 25 days after being paid the money they had been demanding since December 2025.
However, he said that so far the contractor has not returned to the project area or started work.
“This contractor is working very slowly. They were paid in December and we agreed within 25 days that they should return to the site and start work but all the time has passed and nothing is happening”, said Mr. Ndejembi.
According to the Minister, the project was supposed to be completed within a period of two years and handed over by the end of this year but so far the implementation has only reached about 50%.
He said the project is part of the government’s plan to connect the southern regions of Ruvuma, Lindi and Mtwara to the national grid to improve access to reliable electricity.
“The citizens of the South need reliable electricity and the government has prioritized solving that challenge by providing funds to implement this project. It is impossible for the contractor to delay this work”, he said and added ..
“After the warning we will give him, if he continues to delay we will take further action”, he said
The project to transport 220 kilovolt electricity from Songea through Tunduru and Masasi to Mahumbika in Lindi region aims to enhance access to reliable electricity in Lindi and Mtwara regions,
