SINGIDA: THE Rural Energy Agency (REA) has urged residents of newly electrified rural hamlets to apply for electricity connections and use the service for income-generating activities as the government continues expanding power access across the country.
The appeal was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Rural Energy Board (REB), Ambassador Major General (Retired) Jacob Kingu, during the commissioning of electricity in Mwamlula Hamlet, Mseko Village and Kipeke Hamlet, Masagi Village, in Iramba District.
Ambassador Kingu said the government has continued strengthening REA’s capacity to implement rural electrification projects aimed at improving livelihoods and accelerating socio-economic development. He said the government plans to connect all 64,359 hamlets nationwide to electricity by 2030, noting that 62.4 per cent have already been electrified.
“We are confident the target will be achieved through the continued support that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has provided to REA in implementing rural electrification projects,” he said.
He encouraged residents to use electricity to establish businesses and other productive ventures, saying reliable power would raise household incomes while improving the delivery of essential social services.
Ambassador Kingu also directed REA and the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to ensure electricity is extended to public institutions, including schools, dispensaries, health centres and places of worship.
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Representing the REA Director General, Mr Thomas Mbaga said Singida Region has 2,289 hamlets, of which 1,196, equivalent to 52.25 per cent, have already been connected to electricity, while 1,093 are yet to receive the service.
He said electrification is continuing through the Hamlets Electrification Project Phase IIA (HEPIIA) and Phase IIB (HEPIIB), which are expected to connect an additional 127 and 377 hamlets, respectively. Mr Mbaga urged residents to safeguard electricity infrastructure, noting that the government has invested about 94.6bn/- in rural electrification projects in Singida Region.
Residents of Mwamlula and Kipeke hamlets welcomed the arrival of electricity, saying it would improve living standards and create new economic opportunities.
“We are delighted to have electricity in our village. What was once a dream has become a reality. We will use it not only to light our homes but also to start businesses and increase our household incomes,” said Mwamlula resident Ms Lucia Constantine.