Government to spend K1.5million on electrifying thatched houses across the country

Government says it will spend about 1.5 million Kwacha on a pilot scheme of accelerating the electrification of thatched houses across the country.
Energy Deputy Minister Charles Zulu says government through REA, the Rural Electrification Authority has targeted to connect 450 houses in Chipata out of which 300 are thatched houses.
The Minister says the intensification of the electrification programme is aimed at providing reliable energy sources so that people in rural areas are connected to the national electricity grid.
Mr Zulu disclosed this when he commissioned the Kaulu electricity grid extension project in Petauke District at a cost of 8.7 million Kwacha, which he said demonstrates government’s commitment to providing reliable energy sources.
The Minister says the electrification of thatched houses will also be implemented in Mwansabombwe and Chavuma districts in Luapula and North-western provinces respectively.
The Kaulu grid project has connected electricity to Chief Kalindawalo’s Palace, Chipembe and Kalindawalo Rural Health centres with a combined catchment of 31,000 people.
Out of the 31,000 people four schools will benefit from the programme and an estimated 2,500 pupils are expected to benefit.
Speaking earlier, REA Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Musonda said that his organization has changed the methodology of empowering local communities with electricity from the turnkey approach to securing own project materials and awarding labour based contracts.
Mr Musonda said the Kaulu electricity grid is the first project wholly executed by REA after the local contractor failed to complete the construction works.