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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
FOR over four decades, Sekuru Newton Maodzwa (103), has lived in Dete Village of Hurungwe North constituency without any hope that the area would be connected to grid electricity.
Born in 1921, Sekuru Maodzwa moved to the village in 1980 upon retirement after working in Guruve for years.
Although he had not much to think of, except a peaceful and quiet rural setup, Sekuru Maodzwa at times remembered how electricity was essential in his previous life.
His hope was to introduce his grandchildren and great grandchildren to the greatest innovation, but age was catching up with him.
As the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa came in November 2017, its priority had been to connect more rural areas to solar energy, which has ignited Sekuru Maodzwa’s old memories when he stayed in Guruve where he had electricity.
The Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Rural Electrification Fund (ERF), constructed a 120-kilowatt solar power plant in the Dete area, which has seen households, institutions, and shops being connected on the mini grid.
The project was also funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which supplied materials for the plant including panels, batteries and an inverter.
REA availed manpower to set up the project.
It also supplied poles, a conductor and all other materials.
“The coming of electricity to this area is a dream come true,” he said.
“This is bridging the gap between us and those in the urban areas. It is also historic that since 1980, this is the first of its kind, a legacy we will leave to coming generations.”
Another happy villager, Mr Zhakata Mayendayenda, said: “We are glad that the project has been completed. It will help retain the workforce at our schools and clinics.”
Before the establishment of the project, there were reports of some pregnant women at the clinic’s waiting shelter getting bitten by snakes due to poor lighting at night.
The solar plant has also delighted shop owners at the business centre.
They have since connected fridges, saving their customers chilled drinks and other products requiring refrigeration.
They are also optimistic that the plant will attract cellular services providers.
The 120kW solar project will be officially commissioned this month.
It is one of the many flagship projects implemented by the Second Republic in Mashonaland West province.
Already 13 homesteads, two schools, a clinic, 32 businesses, two community boreholes, grinding mills and a welding structure, have been connected to the grid.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, who toured the project yesterday, said she was happy with progress.
She added that the project is in line with the Government’s mantra of leaving no one and place behind.
“This has brought with it modernisation to this remote area. Schools are expected to roll out Information Communication Technology tools for learning while primary healthcare providers will be able to store medicines that require refrigerators.
“We have also seen shops connected to the power and this, stimulates business growth and introduces new business ideas,” she said.
REA’s provincial manager, Engineer Last Sauramba, said beneficiaries will have access to the power after buying electricity tokens.
“We have similar projects in other districts and also have plans to establish more next year,” he said.
Online Reporter