INTRODUCTION
In
Tanzania we experienced discoveries of Gas from Mtwara in 2011-2013 whereby the
expectation of the government is to transport it to Dar es Salaam where market
is (URT, 2013). The major intention of exploiting gas is to increase power
through TENESCO together with increasing income of the nation. In 2012-2013
Tanzania experienced presence of riot and demonstration whereby people from
Mtwara opposed transportation of these gas to Dar es Salaam with fact that they
will not benefit from their natural resources which is gas as a result
distraction of properties and roads including bridge of Mtwara town observed. The
kind of gas discovered in Mtwara is called “Natural gas”.
Definition of the Key terms
Gas
is a highly combustible odorless and colorless hydrocarbon gas largely composed
of methane. It is produced in pressurized deposits located deep in the Earth's
crust, commonly located just above oil deposits. The gas is created in roughly
the same manner as oil, by geologic processes that act upon organic matter over
millions of years. High combustibility coupled with low emissions makes it a
highly valued resource. More economical than electricity, natural gas is
primarily used for heating homes, cooking and running appliances such as water
heaters and clothes dryers (http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/gas).
Gas
is an air like fluid substance that expands liberally to fill any space
obtainable, irrespective of its quantity. Natural gas is composed of a mixture
of hydrocarbons with the main one being methane and small traces of ethane,
propane and butane (http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-gas).
Reliance
means a state of being dependent upon or confident in something or someone;
having trust.
Reliance
means "the state of relying on something” or "ground of trust"
or "anything
on which to relay" or he faith, confidence, or trust felt by one who
relies; dependence.
The following are the major
political factors that help to explain our reliance on gases from Mtwara:-
Introduction of gas policy and
Implementation of other related policies, Due to the
discoveries of gas from Mtwara, Tanzania government decided to formulate gas
policy of 2013 with the purpose of ensuring proper utilization of gas resources
for the benefit of Tanzanians whole over the country. The policy also tries to
explain how gas will be exploited and how the people of Mtwara and Tanzanians
in general will benefit on it as a result will brought development within
Mtwara and other areas outside Mtwara. For example, due to gas policies will lead
to facilitation of other policies like rural areas electricity program.
Growth of International
relationship, Due to presence of gas from Mtwara it
will influence the development and growth
of international relationship between Tanzania and other developed
countries which will invest direct or indirect on gases as a result increasing
of foreign currency in our country and the rise of international friendship. For example, due to discoveries of gas from
Mtwara it facilitated the raise of relationship between China and Tanzania, and
German and Tanzania whereby a large portion of gas is under Germany.
To win Majority,
The discoveries of Gas from Mtwara accelerate to win majority whereby various
political parts especially those opposing transportation of gases from Mtwara
(CHADEMA, NCCR-Mageuzi, and CUF) expect to win majority because they stand for benefit
of people of Mtwara with the view that,
the people of Mwara will not benefit on gases if will be transporting hence these
part gained popularity than domination part Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) who stand the side of transporting gas to Dar
es salaam.
The following are major social
factors that help to explain our reliance on gases from Mtwara:-
Availability of social services,
Due to discoveries of gas from Mtwara it will champion availability of social
services to the people especially availability of energy such as electricity to
rural people with low price. Through these gases the government decided to
invest on electricity supply which will help to supply all villages in Tanzania
as a result rural people will use power so as to increase their household
income and other issues including accessibility of information through mass
media. Other services will be development of transport and communication such
as road and ports.
Environmental conservation,
The discoveries of gas from Mtwara will help conservation of our environment
especially from depending on firewood’s
and charcoals to gases whereby Tanzania expecting will be sold for low amount
which will easy for Tanzania community to use it hence our environment will be
protected for the benefit of future generation.
Reduction of poverty and Growth of
employment opportunity, The discoveries of gas from Mtwara
it will led to the availability of employment opportunity to the people of
Mtwara and other parts of Tanzania who will work direct or indirect on gas as a
result they will improve their living standard hence poverty will be reducing
in Mtwara and other whole over Tanzania. For example, construction of gases
pipelines from Mtwara-Dar es salaam employed more than 200 peoples from Mtwara
as a result improvement of living standard to these people hence household
poverty level will be reduced.
Conclusion
My suggestion to Tanzania government is that,
the discoveries and transportation of gas from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam should
base for the benefit of Tanzanian people and not only for people of Mtwara and
few politician who have self-interest. What is needed is to use our gas for the
benefit of Tanzania people whole over the country and to make sure all
Tanzanians are benefiting from it either direct or indirect. Through that way
Tanzanians people will support continuation of discoveries of gas and
transporting these gas to Dar es Salaam otherwise if they will use for the
self-interest, people will oppose and
distract the system especially gas pipeline.
REFERENCES
Retrieved on 07-04-2014
from: http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-gas
Retrieved on 07-04-2014
from: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/reliance.html
Retrieved on 07-04-2014
from: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/gas
URT, (2013), Government
Anouncement of Construction og gas Pipeline from Mtwara to Dar es
Salaam, Dar es salaam, Government
press
Written by AUSI CHIWAMBO (2014)-Teofilo Kisanji University
critically discuss the social, economic and political effects of the discovering of natural gas in Tanzania.
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