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| Coastal Region Commissioner Abubakar Kunenge (center) speaks during the ceremony to introduce the contractor for the electricity distribution project in the region. On his right is the Director of Rural Electricity (REA), Engineer Jones Olotu. Photo: Courtesy |
By Charles Mkoka
The Coastal Region Commissioner, Abubakar Kunenge, has expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating 15 billion Tanzanian Shillings for the electricity distribution project to 135 villages in the region.
He made these remarks on September 25, 2024, during a brief ceremony organized by the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to introduce the contractor, China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co. Ltd, responsible for implementing the project.
“We thank President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for ensuring that the Coastal Region becomes a strategic area equipped with essential resources for the development of its citizens, including the electricity distribution project,” said Hon. Kunenge.
He commended REA for effectively executing the ruling party's election manifesto and urged the contractor to complete the project on time as per the contract.
“This process of introducing contractors is beneficial, providing a clear picture of our progress and future direction. Well done, REA,” he added.
Regarding rural electricity distribution in the Coastal Region, REA’s Director, Engineer Jones Olotu, reported that the region has a total of 417 villages, with 407—98%—already connected to electricity.
He noted that the ten villages without electricity are located in delta areas in Kibiti District (five villages) and islands in Mkuranga District (three villages) and Mafia (two villages).
“Plans are in place to connect these remaining villages to alternative energy sources through off-grid projects,” Engineer Olotu clarified.
For the neighborhoods, Engineer Olotu stated that the Coastal Region has a total of 2,045 neighborhoods, with 1,135—55.6%—already receiving electricity services.
“The contractor introduced today will implement the project in 135 neighborhoods, which means 15 neighborhoods in each of the nine districts of the Coastal Region, for 14,983,763,390 Tanzanian Shillings. The remaining 775 neighborhoods will continue to receive electricity as funding becomes available,” he explained.
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He added that REA executes projects in collaboration with local leaders and that the identification of the project neighborhoods involved the Members of Parliament from all nine districts in the region.
In response, the contractor assured the Coastal Region Commissioner that the project would be executed according to the contract and that all necessary preparations had been made.