Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Energy Minister Peter Kapala says works on the US$1.5 billion new Tanzania-Zambia Refined Oil Pipeline project have already commenced with the construction of the 700 km segment on the Tanzanian side.
Mr Kapala says the TAZAMA pipeline will be rehabilitated, cleaned up and reconfigured to start pumping finished products instead of comingled crude.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mr Kapala says the new pipeline will run alongside the existing TAZAMA pipeline and will be more modernized and made mostly subterranean for security reasons.
He states that two pipelines in addition to those from Angola and Namibia will bring in low-sulphur diesel from the Tanzania port into Zambia for industries,mines and domestic use.
Mr Kapala says this will consequently reduce transportation costs and thereby sustainably reduce the pump price of diesel which is currently at a record high.
He explains that on the Zambian side,phase one of the new 12 inch diameter pipeline will end in Mpika district in Muchinga province and will cost between US$250 million and US$300 million to complete. Mr Kapala says phase two will see