Govt to light up over 400 rural institutions

MORE than 400 Government institutions in underserved communities are set to be connected to the national electricity grid this year, marking a giant leap in the ongoing rural electrification programme.

According to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), 45 institutions, including clinics, Government offices, schools and business centres, have already been connected during the first three months of the year.

Overall, more than 10 000 public institutions have been connected to the grid since the programme’s inception in 2002.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, REA spokesperson Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said the programme was being accelerated.

“We recognise the vital role that reliable electricity plays in driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for rural populations,” he said.

“This year, we are targeting 424 public institutions in rural areas . . . Already, 45 institutions have since been connected to electricity in the first quarter (January-March).

“Most of the rural institutions on the grid include rural clinics, primary and secondary schools, business centres and Government extension offices.”

Data from REA shows that 2 977 primary schools have now been connected to the grid, while 1 487 secondary schools now have power.

About 960 clinics, 433 Government offices, 283 chiefs’ homesteads, 1 178 business centres and 1 281 villages have also been electrified.

Mr Nyamayedenga said the programme was being financed through the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

The REF is a statutory body established in 2002 to facilitate the expansion of electricity access to rural areas.

It focuses on building and expanding the rural electricity grid infrastructure by working with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

The fund collects a levy, included on electricity bills paid by consumers connected to the national grid, specifically for rural electrification.

“This significant progress aligns with the vision of the Second Republic, which seeks to establish an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” added Mr Nyamayedenga.

“The successful electrification of these public institutions not only enhances access to essential services such as healthcare and education but also creates opportunities for economic growth and productivity in previously marginalised areas.”

Manicaland province has the highest number of public institutions connected to power (1 968), followed by Mashonaland East (1 132), Masvingo (1 422) and Mashonaland West (1 256).

In Mashonaland Central, 1 235 institutions have been electrified, while 1 432 have been connected in Mashonaland East.

Midlands (1 132), Matabeleland South (1 017) and Matabeleland North (914) have also benefitted.