President Magufuli Wants Gas Talks Expedited

Dar es Salaam — President John Magufuli has sought the support of newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Tanzania in speeding up talks between the two countries over the multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Lindi Region.

Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister Augustine Mahiga revealed that the President made the appeal to Ms Elisabeth Jacobsen when she presented her credentials at State House on Thursday October 04.

The LNG project, said to be among the largest south of the Sahara when completed, has been delayed over lack of progress in talks between investors and the government. The plant was to make use of the trillions of cubic feet of natural gas discovered off the coast in the southern region, and with the potential to drastically transform the economy and create thousands of jobs in the value chain. Prospects for the roll out of the project have recently faltered, with investors holding back over the implication of several new natural wealth laws passed by Tanzania Parliament. President Magufuli is relying on the new legal regime to raise the country’s stake in the exploitation of its vast mineral wealth, including gold and gas discoveries.