Energy Expert Boniface Zulu says the recent rupture in the TAZAMA pipeline which caused the loss of over 1 million litres of diesel is a significant blow to the economies of both Zambia and Tanzania.
Tazama Pipelines Limited, the joint venture between the governments of Zambia and Tanzania, reported a significant pipeline rupture at KM 839 near M.U.S.T. Iyunga Mbeya, resulting in the spillage of approximately 1 million litres of Low Sulphur Gasoil (LSG). The incident occurred on 15th May, 2023, when a contractor, working on behalf of Tarura, accidentally damaged the pipeline while carrying out road works.
Mr. Zulu points out that the costs associated with the rupture include the loss of over one million litres of diesel, the cost of repairing the pipeline, the mobilisation of manpower and equipment, supervision and administrative costs, the cost of environmental degradation, and idle time cum loss of business.
He states that the pipeline is essential to both countries’ economies as it helps to transport finished oil products to the market, and any disruption to the pipeline’s operations has the potential to cause significant economic loss and it is therefore crucial for both governments to take appropriate action to ensure such accidents do not occur in the future.
