DODOMA, Tanzania
President of Kenya, William Ruto, has issued a formal response following assertions from the President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan, regarding a lack of consultation concerning the proposal for a new oil refinery within Tanzanian territory.
Ruto issued his response following revelations by Samia concerning a confrontation on the matter.
His response entailed the grand idea of a broader project that would be beneficial to the entire continent of Africa.
"Allow me to explain our discussion on Tanga as a place of refinery. I have been informed that my announcement has irked you a little bit.
If I had known, I would have announced its construction in Mombasa because the building of a refinery is a big opportunity for business, industrialization, petrochemical industries, fertilizer production, and plastics industries," Ruto said.
Ruto’s response did not exactly explain why he had failed to consult his Tanzanian counterpart about the refinery; he, however, went on rationalizing the project, sticking to the theme that the project is for the greater good.
"Our discussion was about how to industrialize our region using our resources... It is my belief and that of the leaders in our region that whatever raw materials we have should be used for the industrialization of our region so that we can create wealth, jobs, and expand opportunities here."
According to the Kenyan president, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and other regional players have indicated interest in contributing to the project, portraying it as a joint economic endeavor.
"The good people of Tanzania are lucky that we are discussing how to build a refinery in Tanga. It is an investment the government of Kenya is willing to undertake, Uganda is willing to invest, and many other countries are ready to come on board," he said.
"From Tanga to Mombasa is a short distance, and since we already have a pipeline of refined product from Mombasa, we can use all our assets appropriately, transport crude from Uganda, refine it in Tanga, and distribute it across the region," he continued.
Another point he laid out was the retention of Africa’s resources, culminating in fuel production on the continent.
"It is not tenable anymore for us to export raw materials. We must be deliberate not to export jobs, not to export opportunities, but to create them here," he said.
"It makes absolutely no sense for us to export crude oil and then struggle to import finished products with challenges in global supply routes," he added.
Ruto concluded by acknowledging Tanzania’s strategic importance in ensuring that the whole idea becomes a reality.
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