Tanzania ministries 'must pay bills or have power cut off'

The Tanzania Electricity Company (Tanesco) has given its defaulters 14 days to pay their debts or risk being disconnected.

The company's managing director, Tito Mwinuka, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that ministries and other government institutions owe the company $2.3m (£1.9m) while the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (Zeco) owes Tanesco $56.8m.

On Sunday, Tanzanian President John Magufuli directed Tanesco to cut off all those in long-term default, including the Zanzibar government.

This morning, Mr Mwinuka refused to comment on the situation regarding Zanzibar.

The energy ministry recently said Tanesco had debts of $363m and the government had entered talks with the World Bank about a loan for the company "to reduce its arrears and improve its operations".

Tanesco has been relying on costly fuel oil or diesel plants during the dry season and many of its arrears are due to the costs of using private power and fuel suppliers.

US President Barack Obama (L) points at a 'soccket' ball, a soccer ball that captures the energy during game play to charge LEDs and small batteries, alongside Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete (3rd R) on July 2, 2013 during a demonstration at the Ubungo Plaza Symbion Power Plant in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. US President Barack Obama (L) points at a 'soccket' ball, a soccer ball that captures the energy during game play to charge LEDs and small batteries, alongside Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete (3rd R) on July 2, 2013 during a demonstration at the Ubungo Plaza Symbion Power Plant in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

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