Tanzania's strong relations with China go back to the era of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Mao Tse Tung. The Chinese 'Dragon' is now set to invest billions of dollars in the iron and coal mining sectors of the country that will last for more than a century
Isaac Haule (65), a subsistence farmer at Nkomang'ombe village in Ludewa district, can't help to see the long standing Mchuchuma and Liganga projects which the public at large have been so eagerly waiting for take place saying they will usher in a new era in extractive industry in the country.
A father of five and a local government retiree, Haule says though the people are confident of the projects,
but it's likely Ludewa could be the new Chinese 'embassy' as China's Sichuan Hongda Company Limited is to invest US$ 3 billion in an iron ore and coal mining that will last for more than a century.
AN EMBASSY AND ENORMOUS COAL AND IRON RESERVES
"Forget the official embassy at Kajificheni (Hid Up) in the posh Oysterbay area in Dar es Salaam, or the market place full of 'Made in China' brands everywhere in the country, but the new China's biggest 'embassy' will be here in Ludewa district where, according to government data, has massive coal and iron ore reserves that will last for more than 100 years," he says.
However, he says implementing the twin projects will unlock the mineral potential in the country especially in extractive metallurgy, particularly the iron ore from Liganga which could lead to production of iron and steel and the ultimate growth of steel industry in Tanzania.
"Compared to the West, on my opinion, the Chinese are the best investors, we are quite sure the projects will succeed as there will be no politicizing," he adds.
His opinion is echoed by Pius Ngeze, a ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) cadre and former legislator for Ngara constituency in Kagera region, who sees the Chinese investment at the twin projects as vital for the nation's economy regardless of the critics from the West.
"Since independence China has been helping our country, this is not the first time, compared to the West who have for years now been helping Africa, the Chinese are trustable. I'm sure even these projects will be a success," he says.
