Obama to unveil power supply plan for Africa

BY GADIOSA LAMTEY

22nd May 2013

  Making historic visit to Tanzania in early July

US President Barack Obama

 US President Barack Obama is expected to unveil a new plan for distribution of electricity in Africa during a historic two-day visit to Tanzania in early July, a US Embassy press statement issued in Dar es Salaam yesterday said.

According to the statement, President Obama and First Lady Michelle will visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania between June 26 and July 3.
It said President Obama’s visit was principally meant to underscore the value placed by Tanzania and the United States on the need to consolidate diplomatic ties between the US and sub-Saharan Africa.

“The visit will reinforce the importance the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa,” read part of the statement.

It said these ties would be developed through expansion of economic growth, investment, and trade as well as through the strengthening of democratic institutions and investing in the next generation of African leaders.

The statement added that Obama’s trip would underline the US President’s commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between his country and the people of sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to advancing and enhancing regional and global peace and prosperity.

While in Tanzania, President Obama is expected to meet with a wide array of leaders from government, the business sector and civil society – including youth organisations – for talks on strategic partnerships on bilateral and global issues.

Salvatory Rweyemamu, Director of Presidential Communications, earlier yesterday confirmed to the BBC from Dar es Salaam that President Obama would be in Tanzania for two days during which he would announce the new power distribution plan for Africa.

He said President Obama would be visiting Tanzania chiefly because relations between the two countries are good, adding that the visit would help strengthen ties between the two countries.

Rweyemamu also explained that President Obama’s decision to visit Tanzania attested to the fact that Tanzania was moving in the right direction in terms of social, economic and political development.

“Tanzania is a good example of African countries that have attained recognition for their records in good governance and development initiatives as well as for being havens of peace on a continent plagued by violent conflicts,” he noted.

He appealed to Tanzanians to demonstrate, prize and cherish patriotism and so maintain the positive image that has won the country international recognition and commendation.

Obama’s visit will be his second to sub-Saharan Africa as US President and follows that of his predecessor, President George W. Bush, in February 2008 that witnessed the signing of the five-year $698 million Millennium Challenge Compact.
That was by far the largest project, in monetary terms, to have been signed in the history of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Analysts say that, with former President Bill Clinton also having visited Africa during his second term in office, such high-profile trips are common for US presidents after they are relieved of the pressure of domestic campaigning and leadership. They add, though, that it is especially noteworthy that three consecutive US presidents have graced Tanzania with visits.

Since the signing of the Millennium Challenge Compact, the US government has provided funds to rehabilitate and expand Tanzania’s strategic water, energy and road infrastructure.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN