admin
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which completed setting up the Gadza 15 kilowatt solar plant in Sanyati’s Ward 16, has connected a primary school block and clinic to the grid.
The agency also connected staff houses to the grid, with beneficiaries expected to purchase tokens to access electricity.
REA provincial head, Engineer Last Taguma Sauramba said Gadza Primary School and Clinic’s 15KW PV Solar system in Sechuru area under Sanyati District was a gamechanger to the marginalised community that until now was not electrified.
“There are prepaid meters installed and just like ZESA, they buy prepaid tokens to access power. There are on same tariffs like ZESA,” he said.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo said connecting rural institutions to the national and solar grids helps retain staff.
“We have challenges with some workers shunning rural institutions. The main reason is unavailability of electricity, water and poor roads.
“The Government, through its agencies, local councils and departments, is addressing this. Apart from REA, Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) is rehabilitating the roads, drilling and rehabilitating boreholes across the province,” she said.
Provincial education director, Mr Gabriel Mhuma, said the power plant had given children in the area an advantage.
“Children at that institution will enjoy learning, as teachers will now remain at the school. The electricity connectivity also means that the school will have to introduce Information Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets that are rarely accessible in remote schools,” he said.
Mr Farayi Marufu, Mashonaland West nursing officer, said the availability of power at Gadza Clinic meant that some medicines that require cold storage would now be available, thereby improving healthcare access.
The Gadza Solar Plant is expected to be officially commissioned soon.
The solar plant is part of REA’s contribution to clean energy in rural areas. The agency has also constructed biogas digesters at various boarding schools in the province.
Online Reporter