Tanzania authorities have started a civic education campaign to prepare local communities on how to tap the benefits that Uganda crude oil pipeline project present.

Local government officials and civil society from the Northeastern Tanzania which harbors Port Tanga, the proposed exit point of Uganda crude Oil have started organizing communities through civic awareness campaigns, and community dialogues .

The move came when Tanzania and Uganda agreed to build a $4 billion pipeline to transport crude oil from the oil-rich Albertine graben to Tanga Port on the Indian Ocean.

Tanzanian presidency estimated that the project would create 15,000 jobs during its execution.

“We have embarked on a new campaign to sensitize people from all walks of life on how they can be involved and benefit out of the new regional project,” said Paul Bwoki, a regional leader of Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture  (TCCIA) told Xinxhua news.

According to Bwoki, TCCIA and other stakeholders have teamed up to mobilise and educate people as preparation to the project, whose construction is expected to start in August and will be completed in the next three years.

“A series of seminars and meetings will be carried out so that to make aware of this historic and giant project for people living in northern part of the country,” Bwoki said.

He said the project has a wide-range of employment opportunities in areas of clearing and forwarding, hoteliers, transporters, casual workers and other service providers.

According to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, the 24-inch conduit to cover 1,403 kilometres is expected to convey 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day.