THE government has given assurance of connecting electricity to the remaining villages across the country by the end of this year through the Rural Energy Agency (REA).
Deputy Minister for Energy, Mr Stephen Byabato, told the National Assembly
here that the government through the REA project has connected electricity to all districts in the country, but it now aims to connect all villages in its third phase.
He added that the remaining villages that are yet to be connected to power are underway to ensure that the entire country is connected to electricity.
He noted that the government in collaboration with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) and REA is implementing the project of connecting electricity to the remaining villages.
Deputy Minister Byabato was responding to a basic question by the Kilwa South MP, Mr Ally Kassinge, who wanted to know when the government will connect electricity to the remaining villages.
He said that all villages including streets and divisions will be connected to electricity in the said period adding that upon completion the entire country will be connected to power.
Byabato said that currently the government is implementing major power projects which will ensure reliable power supply in the country.
He named the projects as Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, with an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts, Rusumo (80M), Ruhuji (358M) Rumakani (222M). Upon completion these projects will guarantee reliable power in the country.
The minister said the government has also continued to set aside a budget that
will enable Tanzania Electric Supply, (TANESCO) to improve infrastructure as efforts to ensure reliable power supply.
Mr Byabato said the project is expected to cost 3.36bn/- upon completion.
According to the deputy minister the project has started to be implemented since February last year and will be completed in December this year.
He also said that TANESCO was also connecting electricity to customers who are yet to be connected to the service in Mainland.
