- President Samia Hassan discontinues new connection waivers
- Government waivers will apply only to extremely poor consumers
- Orders TANESCO to charge full fees for new connections
The Tanzanian government has issued an executive order to end the discounted connection fee charged by state-owned utility Tanzania Electric Supply Corporation (TANESCO). The government had previously approved the reduction in connection fees for electricity consumers in the rural and peri-urban areas to Tsh27,000 from Tsh177,000.
President Samia Hassan ordered that all new connections be subject to the full connection fees charged by TANESCO. She, however, gave a government waiver for extremely poor consumers in some rural areas. President Samia Hassan admitted the challenges experienced by TANESCO in financing new connections shortfall due to the government-approved discounts.
“I know the Minister (January Makamba) has been silent, but let me help. When Tanesco is directed to charge only Tsh27,000 per new connection, the main question becomes, where does it get the extra money,” she said.