The Ministry of Mines has officially handed over to the contractor Skywards Construction Company the area where the Modern Eight (8) Storey Building of the Tanzania Gemology Center (TGC) will be built for the start of construction.
The handover took place on July 17, 2024 in Arusha at the TGC Center and was witnessed by the Director of the Purchasing and Supply Unit from the Ministry of Mines, Ashura Urassa on behalf of the Secretary General, Center Coordinator Ally Maganga, experts from the Ministry of Mines and TGC , Acting Resident Mining Officer of Arusha Region Mussa Shanyangi, together with the Leading Consultant of Epitome Architects.
Speaking after the handover, the Coordinator of the Center Ally Maganga said that the completion of the building is expected to bring about major reforms in the Gems and Minerals Industry.
He said, TGC has planned to provide education that will meet international standards due to the important infrastructure that is expected to be placed in the building, including the cooperation established with other international institutions that aims to produce experts with high quality standards.
“The education that will be provided will meet international standards and this center is going to be the center of gemstones and the entire chain of activities to increase the value of gemstones. We expect that after completion Tanzanians will benefit as well as attract more students from outside Tanzania,” said Maganga.
The TGC Center provides training in value addition to minerals involving cutting, polishing of gemstones, identification of minerals, geology and various services for miners and traders of gemstones. In addition, the center has already received students from Congo and South Africa who are continuing their training.
On his part, the Director of the Purchasing and Supply Division, Ministry of Mines, Ashura Urassa, speaking on behalf of the Secretary General, Ministry of Mines, has asked the Contractor to work based on the value of the money given and the time set according to the construction contract to avoid inconvenience and not to hinder the Government’s goals for the construction of the building.
And, the representative of the construction company Skywards Engineer Innocent Shirima, has thanked the Government for trusting it and providing the indigenous company to build the building and explained that the company’s expectation is to work at high standards due to its experience.
Also, the Lead Expert from the Eptome Company David Kibebe said, the completion of the project will increase the benefits for the Ministry in activities to increase the value of minerals as well as beautify the landscape of the city of Arusha and explained, “we will be side by side with the Government to ensure that this project is completed as planned ,”
The construction of the TGC Building is among other priority areas that the Ministry has planned to implement in the Financial Year 2024/25 as a continuation of the Government’s efforts to encourage activities to increase the value of gemstones.
June 26, 2024 Dodoma, the Ministry signed an Agreement for the construction of the building with two indigenous companies, Skywards and Lumocons. The construction of the building is expected to cost 33.42 billion shillings until its completion.
