The Respondent Reporter- Dodoma
Deputy Minister for Energy, Ms. Judith Kapinga, has announced that the government, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), is implementing electricity projects in Tanzania’s hamlets based on additional criteria, including the size of constituencies and hamlets, as well as their economic and social needs.
She emphasized that the goal of using these extra criteria is to ensure that every constituency in the country has a large number of hamlets connected to electricity.
Hon. Kapinga made the remarks today in Parliament while responding to a question from Simanjiro MP, Mr. Christopher Olesendeka, who asked how the government plans to implement hamlet electrification projects in a district like Simanjiro, where distances between hamlets can exceed 10 kilometers.
“We are implementing these hamlet projects based on additional criteria. We consider the size of the constituency, the size of the hamlets, and their economic and social demands. I assure Members of Parliament that you will see a difference in the implementation of these current projects,” she said.
In response to a question from Nyasa MP, Ms. Stella Manyanya, who asked when Songea Pori Hamlet in Lunyele Village and Nindi Hamlet in Konganywita Village will be connected to electricity, Kapinga said feasibility studies have been conducted and found that the two hamlets require a medium-voltage transmission line covering a distance of three kilometers.
She added that the government plans to connect the hamlets through the Hamlet Electrification Project Phase II B (HEP IIB), set to begin implementation in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Regarding delays by the contractor responsible for electrification in Nyasa constituency, Kapinga stated that the government has already met with the contractor and instructed him to engage sub-contractors to speed up project execution.
Responding to concerns from Nkasi North MP, Aida Khenani, about delays by a contractor tasked with electrifying hamlets around Lake Tanganyika, Kapinga reaffirmed that the government has ensured qualified contractors are selected for the projects.
On behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, Kapinga directed the Director General of REA to closely supervise the contractor in charge of the Lake Tanganyika hamlets project.
She further instructed the agency to take additional measures to ensure the contractor speeds up the work and delivers the project with professionalism and efficiency.
