The Tanzanian government is planning a series of development projects in the Mtwara and Lindi regions to complement the construction of a gas pipeline linking Mtwara and Dar es Salaam, President Jakaya Kikwete announced on Friday (February 1st).

The planned projects include a power station, expanded ports, fertiliser and cement factories, road improvements, a gas processing plant, and several educational programmes, he said, according to Tanzania's The Guardian.

Kikwete said that 16% of the gas extracted in Mtwara would go to Dar es Salaam, with the remainder to stay in Mtwara for various uses, including for export by sea.

Protestors in the region clashed with police last weekend, leaving four people dead and 12 injured, and causing 1.5 billion shillings ($930,000) in damages.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and Home Affairs Minister Emmanuel Nchimbi visited Mtwara last week to hold discussions with residents, and attributed to the unrest to lack of communication between the government and local residents.