Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda announced on Friday (February 1st) that the government has reached a consensus with Mtwara residents on the transportation of gas from the region.

"After listening to all parties concerned, we realised the major problem was misinformation," Pinda told parliament after visiting the region this week to negotiate with representatives from Mtwara.

Mtwara residents have been at odds with the government's plan to build a pipeline for transporting gas from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam.

During his visit to Mtwara, Pinda was accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Emmanuel Nchimbi, Minister of Transportation Harrison Mwakyembe, Minister of Education and Vocational Training Shukuru Kawambwa, Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Anna Tibaijuka and Minister of Industry and Trade Abdallah Kigoda.

Pinda said the government has vowed to elevate the Mtwara Vocational Training Authority into a centre of excellence for gas studies, to build a number of factories in the region, including a gas processing factory in Madimba, to modernise Mtwara Port, to build a railway for transporting bulk goods to the port, and to guarantee employment for Mtwara residents.

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.