Rukwa sets 4bn/- for power project compensation

THE government has set aside 4.1bn/- to compensate 1,138 residents in Rukwa to pave the way for the construction of the high voltage lines to connect the region with the national grid.

Rukwa Regional Commissioner (RC) Ms Queen Sendiga said during a media briefing over the weekend that the move will connect the region with a reliable power supply from Mbeya’s 400KV.

“The 400 KV double lines will connect Sumbawanga municipality via backbone transmission project,” noted the RC.

The project is funded by the World Bank (WB) and the procedure of engaging the contractor has started.

“The region has been depending on fuel and hydropower from Zambia, a situation that made the region unable to get reliable power supply thus sometimes affecting production activities,” she said adding:

“This project will end that problem…as a region that moves towards industrial economy we must have a reliable power supply.”

Equally the region has four oil-powered generators installed at Sumbawanga substation with capacity to generate 3.75 Megawatts of electricity.

According to Tanesco, a state power utility, the oil-powered generators will be used for emergencies.