adminEmmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has expressed concern over inadequate funding that is hampering completion of some projects aimed at increasing access to electricity in rural areas from 27,7 percent to 60 percent.
The fund has failed to complete 300 projects over the past two years due to erratic supply of various materials such as transformers and conductor wires.
REF chief executive engineer Mr Joshua Mashamba said there was slow progress last year and this month due to failure by suppliers to supply them with adequate project materials.
“There is slow progress during the months of January and February. We have over 300 projects which we have failed to implement to completion over the past two years mainly due to shortage of conductors and transformers.
“This is mainly attributable to the industry annual shutdown. In addition, our progress is also being hampered by rains,” said Mr Mashamba.
He said adequate financial resources were needed in order for the fund to meet its goals adding that there was need to augment available funding to increase revenue streams.
“Our major challenges relate to inadequate funding, shortage of foreign currency. The 6 percent Rural Electrification Levy, which is the main source of funding for the rural electrification programme, is not adequate for us to meet our set goal of achieving universal access to sustainable energy for all rural communities in Zimbabwe by 2030. To achieve this vision, there is need to mobilise additional financial resources to augment the levy,” he added.
Mr Mashamba also said the fund needed a new fleet of vehicles to ensure mobility during implementation of projects.
Online Reporter