MTWARA: THE government has allocated more than Sh203bn to extend electricity to villages and hamlets across Mtwara region, in a major push to achieve universal access to power.
Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi announced the investment while commissioning electricity services at Maendeleo Hamlet and Mtiniko Secondary School in Nanyamba town council.
Ndejembi explained that the investment reflected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to improving the lives of Tanzanians by expanding access to essential public services, including electricity.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has great affection for the people of Mtwara. This region alone has received more than Sh203bn to complete the electrification of its villages and hamlets,” Ndejembi said.
The minister mentioned that Nanyamba constituency, represented by MP Abdallah Chikota, had received Sh6.9bn, enabling all 87 villages in the constituency to gain access to electricity.
According to him, power had also reached 306 of the constituency’s 324 hamlets, with work ongoing in the remaining hamlets.
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Futher, the minister stressed that electricity was not a luxury but a vital service for socio-economic development, assuring residents that the government would continue mobilising resources to connect the remaining 10 hamlets to the national grid.
He also assured Mtwara residents that the government was closely monitoring the Songea–Tunduru–Masasi power transmission line project, which is expected to connect the region to the national grid.
According to him, completing the project will help address persistent power outages and low-voltage problems that have affected the region.
During the event, Ndejembi also pledged to donate 10 computers to Mtiniko secondary school following a request from Nanyamba legislator Abdallah Chikota.
He note that the computers would strengthen students’ practical information and communication technology (ICT) skills and enhance their learning opportunities.