REA to begin subsidising internal wiring as rural electrification expands

DODOMA: THE government, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), has introduced a subsidy programme to support household electrical wiring as part of ongoing rural electrification projects nationwide.

The announcement was made in Dodoma yesterday during a meeting between the Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba and REA management to review the progress of projects under the agency.

Deputy Minister Makamba said the government is pushing ahead with a major initiative to connect electricity to 9,000 subvillages, fulfilling President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to expand energy access across the country.

“The government is implementing concrete plans that will deliver quick results for our people through the energy sector. Within the first 100 days, through REA, we are executing the President’s pledge to bring electricity to the citizens,” she said.

On clean cooking solutions, she said REA will also install clean cooking systems in more than 50 institutions to help them transition away from unsafe and polluting energy sources.

“In the next 100 days, the public will witness significant changes as we begin installing clean cooking systems in institutions. Announcements have already been issued, and institutions should take full advantage of this opportunity,” she added.

She urged citizens especially young people to seize opportunities in the growing clean cooking energy value chain, reaffirming the government’s commitment through REA to support the efforts.

Deputy Minister Makamba also directed contractors implementing electricity distribution projects to work diligently and complete projects on time and to the required standards. She stressed that substantial government funds are being invested and warned that “the government will not tolerate negligent or underperforming contractors.”

REA Director-General Eng. Hassan Saidy outlined ongoing measures to expand clean and reliable energy in rural areas.

He also encouraged rural residents to prepare to connect their homes to electricity, announcing that the government will begin providing subsidies to support households with internal wiring.