国际英语新闻:Tanzania, Uganda leaders agree to fast-track crude oil pipeline project

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni have signed an agreement for the construction of a 3.5 billion-U.S.-dollar crude oil pipeline.

The agreement, signed in Magufuli's native town of Chato in northwest Tanzania on Sunday, paved the way for the progress of the 1,445 km pipeline running from Uganda's oilfields in Hoima to Tanzania's Tanga port.

The two leaders urged officials from both countries to immediately conclude remaining issues for the project and move on.

"Our signing of the agreement today is an important step towards the implementation of the project," said Magufuli shortly after signing of the agreement.

"This is a milestone achievement for both countries as we have reached a final decision on the eagerly awaited project, we believe that this is a project of its kind and it will benefit people from both countries," he added.

He said the deal has taken a long time to be sealed due to the sensitivity of the project, adding that the two sides has been in negotiations for years and that finally they have come to a consensus.

Hassan Abassi, the Tanzanian government chief spokesperson, said that 80 percent of the pipeline will run through Tanzania.

The project, upon completion, will enable Tanzania to earn 7.5 trillion shillings (about 3.2 billion U.S. dollars) and create between 10,000 to 15,000 jobs over the next 25 years, said Abassi.

Uganda discovered oil reserves in 2006 and has has over 6.5 billion barrels of oil.