Rural Electrification Fund corrects colonial imbalances

RURAL areas have been starved of energy supplies for a long time because successive colonial regimes deliberately ignored the fact the majority of citizens lived in rural areas, Rural Electrification Fund (REF) board chairperson, Mr Willard Chiwewe has said.

In a speech read on his behalf by REF board member Mr Cosmas Chiringa at the commissioning of the Bradley High School Biogas Digester in Shamva recently, Mr Chiwewe said since its inception in 2002, REF has remained consistent in facilitating rapid and equitable provision of energy to rural areas.

“Since its establishment in 2002, REF has remained consistent with the mandate to facilitate rapid and equitable provision of energy to rural areas. I am sure you recall that rural areas suffered neglect for a long time because successive colonial regimes conveniently disregarded the fact that the majority of the citizens of Zimbabwe live in the rural areas,” he said.

“Energy is the engine for economic growth and social development. REF has made significant contributions in providing energy to rural communities as a way to engender this growth and development since its inception in 2002.

“We have provided energy to many rural institutions such as schools, clinics, business centres and villages countywide.”

Mr Chiwewe said while REF had made significant strides in providing energy to rural communities in the country, it had not been spared by challenges affecting the energy sector in general such as the lack of adequate generation capacity in the country and the Sadc region, as well as inadequate revenue streams.

He said the country therefore needs additional sources of energy which are affordable and sustainable, particularly to meet the energy needs of rural communities.

To date, over 100 domestic biogas digesters have been constructed at rural institutions and households countrywide.

Mr Chiwewe said to achieve wider access to biogas energy by rural communities, REF would continue to roll out programmes, as well as build capacity in biogas technology.

He said REF would continue to implement specific renewable energy programmes.

The statutory body will also play an important co-ordinating role among the various players in order to develop common standards for the renewable energy subsector in the country.