BY JUDICA TARIMO
3rd February 2012
Energy and Minerals minister William Ngeleja sounded the assurance when responding to a basic question from Nkenge Member of Parliament, Assumpter Mshana.
The legislator sought government explanation on the implementation of pledges made by CCM presidential flag-bearer Jakaya Kikwete in the last general election for Kagera region.
According to the MP, Kikwete had promised to connect to the National Grid a number of wards in the region, including Buyango, Ishozi, Mutukula, and Ishuju.
“When would the government connect wards with power, as pledged by our President during the election campaigns? On top of that, in wards such as Kitobo, Bwanjai, and Gera, electricity is there, but supply is not sufficient…so, I need to know when the government will install power transformers to step up the power being supplies?” queried Mshana.
In his response, Ngeleja said the state-owned public firm, Tanesco, was currently conducting cost analysis for supplying with electricity Ishozi, Ishunju, Buyango, and Mutukula wards.
The assessment established that the cost of connecting Mutukula ward stands at 1,354,001,754.61, while that of connecting Buyango wards is 785,748,467.36 and for Ishozi and Ishunju, is 1,040,560,389.00.
He informed the House that electricity would be connected to Mutukula via Igayaza, Nsunga, Kabwoba wards, and Lusinga, Bwera, Lushanga, Kyazi wards will get power from Buyango.
“Electricity to Ishozi and Ishunju will pass through Gera and Kyeyambe wards,” noted the minister.
Regarding power access in Kitobo, Bwanji and Gera, the minister said the wards have already been connected, but the only problem facing them was that power supplied there was not sufficient.
“I want to assure the legislators and this House that both the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and Tanesco are working hard to supply many parts of Kagera region with electricity and ensure reliable supply of the same,” said Ngeleja.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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