Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, has switched on electricity in Mwanubi Hamlet in Shinyanga Region, describing access to electricity as a basic necessity for Tanzanians and a key driver of economic and social development.
Speaking during the electricity commissioning ceremony in the area, Minister Ndejembi said extending electricity to rural communities must go hand in hand with productive use of the service, including value addition to agricultural produce, expansion of businesses and production activities, and improvement of social services.
He said the Government is continuing to expand access to electricity, particularly in rural areas, with the aim of making energy a catalyst for increased production, household incomes and improved living standards.
Ndejembi urged residents whose areas have already been reached by electricity infrastructure to take advantage of the opportunity by connecting to the service at the subsidized cost of Sh27,000 and using electricity for productive activities.
He also directed the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to assess areas that have not yet been reached by electricity infrastructure and include them in implementation plans to ensure they receive the service.
The Minister further instructed contractors implementing electricity projects to accelerate the installation of poles and construction of related infrastructure in the remaining areas so that more residents can gain access and eventually be connected to electricity.
Ndejembi emphasized that schools, dispensaries and other essential social service facilities should be given priority when extending electricity infrastructure in order to improve efficiency and the quality of services provided to citizens.
He added that the Government, under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, continues to implement various electricity generation, transmission and distribution projects across the country to ensure Tanzanians have access to reliable energy.
According to Ndejembi, the investments are intended to enable citizens to use electricity for productive activities, add value to agricultural produce, expand businesses, create employment opportunities and improve social services.
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Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, Mboni Mhita, thanked the Government, through REA, for extending electricity services to all villages in Shinyanga Region.
She said the achievement has opened up numerous development opportunities for residents, noting that access to electricity in rural areas has continued to transform people’s lives by stimulating economic activities, production and employment opportunities, as well as improving access to essential social services.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Director General of REA, Engineer Herini Mhina, said the agency continues to implement projects aimed at extending electricity services to various hamlets across the country.
Mhina said REA will continue closely supervising the implementation of electricity projects to expand access and enable more rural residents to use electricity for economic activities, production and the provision of social services.
Residents of Mwanubi Hamlet expressed their appreciation to the Government for bringing electricity to their community, saying the development will boost both economic and social activities and improve their living standards.
They said the arrival of electricity will create new opportunities for businesses and production, facilitate value addition to agricultural products and improve access to essential services in the area.
The electricity commissioning ceremony in Mwanubi is part of the Government’s efforts, through REA, to expand electricity access to hamlets across the country and ensure that energy serves as a catalyst for sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
