Mtwara — The Government plans to invest Sh15 billion in a project to supply southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara with reliable power.

Speaking during his tour of Mtwara Region at Mikindani suburb on Monday, the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, said the Government's decision seeks to reduce cost of electricity to consumers.

He addressed the rally after visiting Msimbati gas power project facility.

"The Government is to invest Sh15 billion in this project so as to lower cost of power production and reduce its cost to the end user," he said.

He noted that power production has started, albeit at slow pace, but he hoped that by May or June next year, production will pick up enough for the two regions.

He said at the moment, technicians are constructing power infrastructures such as lying of transmission lines.

He said completion of the project would enable Mtwara Region to embark on the industrialisation drive.

"After getting adequate power, Mtwara would be able to construct the proposed fertiliser plant which uses gas as raw material," he said.

Because they are not connected to national grid, Newala, Masasi and Tandahimba districts in Mtwara Region, have been receiving power under rationing from Masasi-based diesel generators.

Power from the generators is also distributed to Ruangwa and Nachingwea districts in Lindi Region.

Reacting on concerns from people on power rationing, Mtwara regional administrative secretary, Mr Yusuph Matumbo, told Mr Pinda that one of generators at Masasi has been out of order for some time now.

"In 1986 generators at Masasi were capable of producing 4.5MW of power for the area. But now one machine is out of order and the remaining generators produce only 2.8MW," he explained.