MP proposes rural electric connection through loans

DODOMA: IF a proposal by Tanga Urban legislator, Ummy Mwalimu sails through, there could be a reason to smile for poor citizens to have their houses electrified via Peri Urban Electrification project.

Yesterday in the august House, the MP requested the government to connect Tanzanians through a comprehensive approach where citizens get electricity via loans and later clear their debts by installment.

The move seeks to ensure that every Tanzanian has electricity provided through Rural Energy Agency (REA)’s Peri-Urban Electrification Project.

Her proposal was well received and accepted by Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga who said the government would later think of connecting citizens in the rural areas through loans.

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She was however quick to point out that the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) had once tried the initiative but it came out that many Tanzanians were not clearing their debts.

“TANESCO tried the move through the Akiba Commercial Bank but the move did not work out properly as many citizens failed to honour their loans obligations,” said Ms Kapinga adding however that the government had received the idea and will think on how to work on it.

This move, said the deputy minister, will help to stimulate economic activities in different areas of the country.

And, the initiative will be incorporated into the Peri Urban Electrification Project (PUEP), which the government signed agreements with several contractors for the implementation in various regions.