MCC CEO Attends Ground Breaking of Major Tanzania Road

Washington, D.C. June 3, 2010 — During his official visit to Tanzania this week, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. Yohannes joined President Kikwete at the ground breaking of the Tanga-Horohoro Road, a transportation corridor that stretches from Tanga to the Kenyan border.

“I am pleased to visit Tanzania, and mark my second trip to the African continent as MCC’s CEO. I am very impressed with Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable development,” said Mr. Yohannes. “This road will provide easier access to markets, schools, and health centers. It will also open new opportunities for commerce and business development, including with neighboring Kenya. We look forward to a wonderful continued partnership with President Kikwete and the people of Tanzania.”

While in Tanzania, Mr. Yohannes met with President Jakaya Kikwete to discuss the U.S.-Tanzania partnership through MCC to promote sustainable economic growth, increase household income, and, ultimately, raise the quality of life for Tanzanians. Mr. Yohannes met with local residents and business people expected to benefit from the Tanga-Horohoro road, as well as from MCC-funded improvements to Tanga’s electricity infrastructure. Tanga is one of six regions that will benefit from a rehabilitation and extension of the transmission and distribution system. Mr. Yohannes also toured a landing site in Zanzibar for the future 100 megawatt submarine power cable, which will improve the reliability and quality of electric power. Finally, he visited the Lower Ruvu Water Treatment Plant, the main source of water for Dar es Salaam and the site for an MCC-funded project to increase the quantity and quality of potable water for domestic and commercial use. This project will improve health and advance productivity.

In February 2008, MCC signed a five-year, $698 million compact with Tanzania aimed to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth by increasing household incomes through targeted investments in transportation, energy, and water.

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Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. Government agency designed to work with developing countries, is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces sound political, economic, and social policies that promote poverty reduction through economic growth. For more information, please visit www.mcc.gov.

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