Tanzania and Malawi are expecting to implement a joint 180 megawatt electricity project that will enable each country to produce 90 megawatts, Malawi24 understands.
The two countries also expect to implement another joint project on irrigation where a total of 600 hectares will be developed, with 3000 farms in each country.
The implementation of the projects follow agreement over development for Songwe River Basin Development Programme (SRBDP), signed by the Tanzanian Minister for Water and Irrigation Engineer Gerson Lwenge and Malawian Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, and Water Development Dr George Chaponda.
They signed the agreement in Mbeya during a special ministerial meeting by the two countries and some of the projects to be implemented will include dam construction, tree planting, and irrigation schemes.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Lwenge pointed out that the project is expected to cost the two countries more than 500 million US dollars. He went on to say that the project will benefit seven districts in the two countries whereby for Tanzanian side the districts are Kyela, Ileje, Mbeya, Momba and Mbozi.
“This project will benefit our people in so many ways since we are expecting to produce 180 megawatt of electricity, which will be shared equally between the two countries,” said Eng. Lwenge.
He added that for irrigation, they intend to develop a total of 3,000 farms which have the size of 600 hectares each.
“These farms will be used for rice farming, which has a good market in and outside the country. In addition to this, fishing activities will also be improved,” noted Lwenge.
For his side, Dr Chaponda said the project will be implemented in Chitipa and Karonga, adding that this will go hand in hand with the construction of dams and modern irrigation schemes.
He further said that when the project is completed, it will help in strengthening relationship between the two countries, expand business; and that once the basin is developed, it will help the Songwe River to stay on course in its origin place.
I will be happy to receive the story all the time
NO Boundary between Malawi , Tanzania and Zambia….it will help.
Akayanjanaaaa…. Aleken aleken
This is what neighbouring countries is supposed to do in so doing we are developing one another and other countries will learn from this
Please, as Malawians we expect to always good and great news like this osati zokanganila madzi a mu L.Malawi ndi Tanganyika za ziiiii. We hope Mutharika does everything possible to personally meet his counterpart Magufuli soonest on th eother development issues and not boundary issues. Akazi wokongola ali ku Tanzania ndiye mukamadana ife kuno ziyenda? Eiiish
My dear reporter. …you did a good job to research on how Tanzania will benefit from the project. My attention was therefore drawn to how Malawi will benefit. But alas! …you haven’t said anything on this. You mentioned districts like Kyla, Mbeya in Tanzania. …how come you never bothered to ask Chaponda the same question? Are you Malawian? You know electricity is a big issue in Malawi and most of us would be very keen to know how such projects could benefit Malawians and even the time frames. …