Iringa RC Peter Serukamba. Photo: Courtesy
By The Respondent reporter
The Iringa, Regional Commissioner Peter Serukamba, has hailed the Sixth Phase Government for allocating Sh20 billion to officially launch Phase Two of the Hamlet Electrification Project.
This initiative will bring electricity to 105 hamlets across seven constituencies in the Iringa region, connecting 3,465 customers to the power grid.
Speaking to journalists on October 11, 2024, during the introduction of the contractor for the project, STEG International Services from Tunisia, Serukamba emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the economic and social well-being of Tanzanians through access to electricity.
“We are grateful that all 360 villages in the Iringa region now have electricity. We have every reason to commend the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for delivering electricity services to our region. We are now focusing on hamlets, and I applaud Rea and Tanesco for their tremendous work in extending electricity to our citizens,” stated Serukamba.
He also acknowledged the Rural Energy Agency (Rea) for overseeing the contractors and called for continued supervision to ensure the timely completion of rural energy projects.
Dunstan Kalugira, the Southern Highlands Project Supervisor for Rea, informed the Regional Commissioner that work on electrifying the 105 hamlets began on August 20, 2024, after signing contracts to expand electricity access to over 3,000 hamlets nationwide. The Iringa region will benefit from this project, with 15 hamlets per constituency included.
The constituencies involved are Isimani, Iringa Urban, Kalenga, Kilolo, Mafinga, Mufindi North, and Mufindi South.
Kalugira explained that the project will include the construction of 210 kilometers of low-voltage lines, 40.7 kilometers of medium-voltage lines, and the connection of 3,150 single-phase customers along with 315 three-phase customers.
He added that REA is implementing these projects in collaboration with local leaders, and the identification of the project hamlets was done in partnership with elected representatives from all seven constituencies in Iringa.
Aymen Louhaichi, the country manager for STEG International Services, assured that the company will complete the project as per the contract, with all necessary preparations already underway.
