07 Mar 2013

The 100 villages’ electrification project, which was started in 2007 was completed in 2010 and was never designed or planned to be implemented in phases.

Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila told Parliament on Tuesday, that there were no plans to do the next phase of 100 villages’ electrification project.

The minister said after economic recovery, government would consider among other key projects, the next phase of village electrification.

He said there was an on-going project of 28 villages and effect network extension in 13 villages which was expected to be completed in August 2013.

He said there was collaboration between his ministry and other ministries to get government institutions in electrified villages connected to the national grid.

He said when a village was considered for electrification, factors such as population of the village and market potential, proximity to existing electricity infrastructure and geographical spread of the villages were considered.

The minister further said through the electrification programme, the ministry continued to look for funds to electrify additional villages.

He was responding to a question from Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao, who had wanted to know when the next round/phase of the 100 villages’ electrification project would commence.

Mr Molao also wanted to know which areas were likely to be covered by the project and to state the criteria used to select such areas and/or villages for inclusion. ENDS