At 1445 km the "longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline in the world," the principal stakeholders in the $3.5 billion Ugandan - Tanzanian crude export pipeline are anxious to begin the project.

Set for completion in 2020, Tanzanian President John Magufuli said "we don't need to delay the project for almost three years. They can do it even day and night to ensure the project is completed as quickly as possible".

The estimated $3.5 billion pipeline will stretch from landlocked Uganda's western region, where crude was discovered in 2006, to Tanga - Tanzania's seaport on the Indian Ocean.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli, flanked by his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni, urged the three joint venture partners to speed up construction of the pipeline.

“Act with big speed and make sure you finish this project before 2020", Magufuli added.