The Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration, Constitution, and Law, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro, speaking to members of the committee, the Kahama District Security and Defense Committee, Kahama Council leaders, and the staff and management of Barrick Buzwagi during the one-day visit to the Barrick Buzwagi Special Economic Zone.
The Deputy Minister of the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Dr. Pius Chaya, speaking to Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration, Constitution, and Law during their working visit to observe the developments of the Buzwagi Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), located within the Barrick Buzwagi mine, which is in the final stages of commissioning.
The Commissioning Manager of the Barrick Buzwagi Mine, Engineer Zonnastraal Mumbi, addressing Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration, Constitution, and Law during their working visit to observe the progress of the Buzwagi Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), located within the Barrick Buzwagi mine, which is in the final stages of commissioning.
The Parliamentary Committee on Law has called for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be managed by the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) instead of the Kahama Municipal Council.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration, Constitution, and Law has directed the government, through the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, to officially hand over the management of the Buzwagi Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) to TISEZA to ensure it continues to attract investors and create a conducive business environment. The committee also praised Barrick for professionally commissioning the mine.
Speaking at the conclusion of the committee’s visit, its Chairman, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro (MP), stated that the committee observed it is crucial for the investment authority to manage the SEZ rather than the Kahama Municipal Council.
“We take this opportunity to commend the Barrick leadership for the excellent professional work in commissioning the Buzwagi mine and creating a favorable environment for establishing this special investment and trade zone, which is important for our country’s interests,” said Dr. Ndumbaro.
“We visited this specific investment area and observed that water, road infrastructure, and electricity are available, which serve as key incentives for attracting both domestic and foreign investors,” he added.
He further noted that one of the challenges in attracting investors in the country is the finance law, which is somewhat not investor-friendly. The committee intends to continue advising the government, recommending that certain provisions in the finance law be amended to open up more opportunities for investment.
Dr. Ndumbaro emphasized that the Kahama Municipal Council should continue with other citizen services while leaving TISEZA to oversee the development of the SEZ and attract investors to the country.
He noted that the ruling party’s (CCM) manifesto directs every district to have industrial zones to increase employment for citizens and boost the local economy. He also urged TISEZA to stay close to the area and promote it more to attract both domestic and international investors.
“Through the CCM election manifesto, the government must continue attracting domestic and foreign investors to reduce unemployment and expand the government’s revenue base,” Dr. Ndumbaro added.
He stated that this SEZ is unique compared to other investment areas because it has essential infrastructure, including reliable electricity, sufficient water, roads, and an airport facilitating investor transport.
“We want TISEZA to stay close to this SEZ so that investors, when they arrive, do not face bureaucratic challenges during the initial stages of their investments,” Dr. Ndumbaro emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, Dr. Pius Chaya, said the government has taken on board the committee’s recommendations for the investment authority to manage the SEZ instead of the Kahama Council to improve efficiency.
He explained that the sixth-phase government, in collaboration with the private sector, including Barrick, will continue these plans, which are part of the national development vision 2020-2050, to reduce poverty and grow the economy.
“Through the public-private partnership (PPP) framework, we aim for the private sector’s contribution to national GDP to reach 70% in order to continue opening more opportunities for the sector to participate in the country’s economic pillars,” Dr. Chaya added.
He praised Barrick, which partners with the government through Twiga Minerals, for continuing to implement various development projects and pledged that this collaboration will continue to open further opportunities and expand the investment enabling environment in the country.
Barrick Buzwagi Mine Commissioning Manager, Zonnastraal Mumbi, said Barrick will continue collaborating with the government to attract investors by creating a conducive investment environment and adhering to international standards of professional mine commissioning.
“The Barrick Buzwagi mine began the commissioning process in 2021 in partnership with the National Commission for Commissioning, and later we officially started the process of converting this area into a productive investment zone after confirming with the government that the infrastructure here is excellent and attractive to investors,” he said.
Engineer Magige Marwa from the Kahama Water and Sanitation Authority (KUWASA) told the committee that the ongoing construction of the Mwendakulima water filtration plant is expected to serve more than 66% of Kahama Municipal residents, with a capacity of 10 million liters per day.
“This project is expected to be completed in June this year, and currently, 78% of the entire project has been completed, reflecting the rapid pace of this large-scale project in Kahama town,” he emphasized.
Engineer Marwa explained that 62% of the Mwendakulima rainwater filtration project is funded by Barrick Buzwagi mine, with the remaining 38% funded by KUWASA through the Ministry of Water and the Government of Tanzania.
The Barrick Buzwagi Special Economic Zone covers 1,333 hectares and is located within the Barrick Buzwagi Mine. To date, a total of 35 investors have expressed interest in investing in the area, with one investor already starting production of mining equipment and parts, five in the licensing process, and 29 in the early stages of investment planning.
