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Liberty Dube Mutare Bureau
THE Rural Electrification Fund has electrified 1 657 institutions, of which 218 are in Buhera District.
Speaking at the commissioning of Chirozva Electrification Project at Chirozva Business Centre in Buhera District yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge said the rapid and equitable electrification of rural areas in Zimbabwe was critical in promoting rural development and uplifting the lives of rural Zimbabweans.
The project was mooted in March last year and completed on March 27 this year. The electricity will light up Chirozva Primary and Secondary schools, Chirozva Business Centre and Mudawose Clinic. It is set to benefit scores of villagers, particularly in wards 20 and 25 in Chirozva Village.
It has the potential to benefit adjacent communities through which the line passes. The project has a total line length of 14.5 km, comprising 12.4km of high voltage line and 2.1km of low voltage line. It has a combined substation capacity of 300 KVA.
So far, the rural electrification fund has covered institutions in Buhera District such as Murambinda A, St Albans, Nyamasanga and Chirozva Primary Schools, Murambinda B as well as Mudawose Clinic and Chirozva Business Centre.
Institutions such as Bhegedhe Primary and Secondary schools, Nechikowa Primary and Secondary schools, Tapedzwa Primary and Mudanda Secondary schools, St Bernard’s and Mudanda clinics, Chimuvhuri and Mudanda Arex offices, Vhiriri Ministry of Health offices and Zenda Chitaitai Group Scheme are set to be switched on by early next year.
Dr Undenge said the Rural Electrification Fund had completed work on the Rural Energy Master Plan, which once adopted, would become a national plan for the provision of modern energy to all rural areas in Zimbabwe.
The project was completed at a cost of $158 615. “The importance of the master plan in supporting Government’s strategy for long term energy development for the country should not be overemphasised. The provision of energy will no doubt lead to the empowerment of our rural communities, poverty alleviation, capacity building and employment creation in rural communities in line with Zim-Asset.
“Many other benefits will accrue, among them, the reversal of rural-urban migration and economic activities in downstream industries. Government has continuously worked tirelessly to create an enabling environment and put in place appropriate mechanisms for the provision of energy to both rural and urban areas,” he said.
Rural Electrification Fund board chairman, Mr Willard Chiwewe, whose speech was read by board member Manicaland, Mr Fungai Mbetsa, urged Government departments, civic organisations and rural communities to fully utilise electricity for economic and social development of the country and in line with the ideological thrust of Zanu-PF and Zim-Asset.
“With the Fund having recently completed the Rural Energy Master Plan which integrates conventional grid electricity and renewable energy technologies, we hope to accelerate the provision of energy in all rural areas of Zimbabwe, including remote parts of the country.
“The master plan will enable the fund to deliver its mandate in a more systematic and cost effective manner. We can achieve our goals as set out in Zim-Asset if we collectively continue to work together,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Senator Tsitsi Muzenda, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene and Women’s League secretary for administration, Cde Letina Undenge, as well Buhera South National Assembly member, Cde Joseph Chinotimba, Buhera Central National Assembly member, Cde Ronald Muderedzwa and Buhera North National Assembly member, Cde Oliver Mandipaka among other Government officials.
Online Reporter