DAR ES SALAAM, May 25 -- PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed authorities in charge of overseeing the countrys uranium resources to begin immediate preparations for production, including using the mineral to generate electricity for domestic use.

She made the call yesterday while swearing in newly appointed leaders at State House in Dar es Salaam.

President Samia said Tanzania can no longer afford to sit on its uranium deposits while other countries are using the resource as a key component of their energy mix.

She described nuclear power as a viable solution to Tanzanias growing energy needs, adding that the countrys current uranium reserves, estimated at 58,500 tonnes, should first benefit Tanzanians before any exports are cons...