Article by Wadzanai Mandima
THE rural electrification programme has become an effective transformation tool in various communities around the country with beneficiaries convinced that the government is walking the talk in ensuring inclusive development.
The Mudzi community of Mutoko has become the latest to benefit from the rural electrification programme after 10 institutions including schools, clinics, business centres and homesteads now connected to the national grid.
“Our children are now able to operate computers such that when they go to university they will be on the same page with those from towns.
“Women are now able to give birth even at night without challenges and we are now able to engage in various economic projects such as welding hence improving the way we do business and our children are now able to learn computers at school and even to study after hours,” said villagers who spoke to the news crew.
The switching-on ceremony in Mudzi was an opportunity for Rural Electricity Agency (REA) board member, Partridge Ndemera to encourage the community to use the electricity productively.
“I urge you to use the electricity to your benefit and safeguard against vandalism of the infrastructure,” he said.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Magna Mudyiwa said the government is working tirelessly to make sure there is enough power supply in the country.
“The government is working hard to improve power generation capacity at Hwange Power Station so there is an improved power generation,” he said.
The government has set a target of providing power to all the rural areas in the country by 2030.
