Government spends over K 35 billion on rural electrification in Luapula province

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Margaret Bwanga-Miyoba says government has spent over K35 billiion on selected rural electrification projects in the region most of which are scheduled for completion the end of this year.

Mrs. Miyoba says it is gratifying to note that government has started connecting rural areas in her province to the national grid while far flang areas are being electrified through the use of solar energy.

Mrs. Bwanga-Miyoba expressed happiness that most of the rural areas in her province will be connected to the national grid for the first time to allow people living in remote areas also enjoy the benefits that come along with electricity.

The Permanent Secretary noted that people of Luapula province who are predominantly peasant farmers and fishermen will find other means of income generation once the power projects are completed.

She added that people will also be able to increase their working hours and improve production thereby also improving their economic status.

ZANIS reports that Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is currently implementing 4 big projects in Luapula province and one in Kaputa district of Northern Province which is also considered to supply power to Luapula region once fully utilised.

In Samfya, the State has embarked on the electrification of public institutions such as Schools, Clinics Markets and local courts in Katanshya, Chinsaka, Kapata East and Twingi areas.

Under this project, a 33KV Auto-closer will be installed at the source of the line going to Chipango area across Bangweuru and installation of a 500KVA 33/11KV ground-mounted transformer at Chiano area to supply Chilubi and Mbabala Islands at 11KV.

The same line will be extended from Chipango area to cover about 45 kilometers to Katanshya, Chinsaka, Kapata, Twingi and surrounding areas.

All the works under this project will cost about 11.8 billion and the contractor, Twamb Investment Limited has done 70 percent of the total projet.

In the same district REA has started a first of its kind mini solar grid which will be located at the shores on Lake Bangweuru and connect thousands of people living around this area.

And in the newly established Chipili District the REA is constructing a total of 18.88km of 11KV overhead transmission line which tees-off from the existing Mansa 11kv line at Mutipula turn off which will electrify all public institutions around the area at a cost of K4 billion.

While in Kaputa, the second phase of the project to install a 100 KVA 33.04KV distribution transformer to supply Kaputa High School and a 500KVA 33/11 KV transformer to be installed at ZESCO Kaputa Substation has been done at a total cost of about K8.5billion while phase one which was done in 2010 gobbled about K11.3 billion.

ZANIS