admin
Tina Musonza-Herald Correspondent
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has completed 147 out of the targeted 370 projects by end of year to electrify public institutions. .
REA Public Relations Executive Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said that public institutions like clinics, schools, Government extension offices and others were electrified under the rural electrification ongoing process to fully electrify all public institutions by 2030.
Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Manicaland and other provinces saw completion of 147 rural electrification projects under various forms of power supply which include solar and biogas to supplement conventional grid.
Mr Nyamayedenga confirmed that intensive measures were taken towards rural electrification in support of the mantra of living no one behind by creating sustainable developments in power supply.
“Working under National Development Strategy 1 by 2025 as REF we must make sure that all public institutions have access to at least one form of power energy, be it conventional grid, solar or biogas energy.
We had targeted 370 projects for rural electrification by the end of the year. So far we handed over 147 completed to Zimbabwe Electricity Company (ZETDC). The rest are ongoing at various stages and if they do not come to completion we will finish them early next year”, said Mr Nyamayedenga.
He said that rural electrification was transparent with special public zones selected first in the provincial initiatives taking place towards completing rural electrification.
“We are electrifying the special zones after we come up with a comparison of all public institutions. This serves a focus on our projects and we will tackle those left zones until we complete rural electrification by 2030,” he added
It is an intensive measure taken to comply with various economic activities taking place in rural areas such as mining, agriculture and farming, “he said
Mr Nyamayedenga said although rural electrification is aimed at creating sustainable power supply for all public institutions, Mr Nyamayedenga said there are facing challenges in procurement of materials slowed down the initiatives
“We are facing challenges of procurement of materials and transportation of materials for the projects. Some Private companies are delaying to distribute materials such as transformers and conductors yet they are crucial accessories in the whole process.
We are also facing fuel challenges that are working against our efforts. The Aging fleet of vehicles has become challenging to transport accessories to rural areas. Most of our vehicles have worn out and they often breakdown and there is need for replacement of these vehicles,” he said
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter