The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi : Post Correspondent
A TOTAL of 38 villages in Marange and Buhera districts are expected to benefit from the 12.4km electricity power line currently being set up by the Rural Electrification Agency.The power line is stretching from Gonouya Business Centre in Marange and run across Save River to Chirozva Secondary School in Buhera.
Three 25 kilo-volts transformers will be placed at Chirozva Primary and Secondary schools and Chirozva Clinic.
Work commenced on August 5 and is expected to end at the end of October.
Other projects that have been done by REA in Marange prior to this are in Maanhu, Buwerimwe and Marewo areas where three other 25 kilo-volts transformers have been placed in each of the areas. REA acting Manicaland provincial manager, Engineer Joseph Magadza, said the project was targeting Government institutions like schools and health institutions.
“We are putting transformers in schools and clinics, but nearby business centres and thousands of villagers along the electricity lines are expected to be the greatest beneficiaries.
“The main idea of the rural electrification is to bridge the gap between rural people and their urban counterparts.
“In that case, we are being successful to a greater extend as most people in rural areas are responding positively to the idea. We are also aiming at exposing children in these areas to technology and transform their lives.
“We are doing chiefs’ homesteads across the province and so far Katerere and Musikavanhu projects are now at an advanced stage,” said Eng Magadza.
Speaking during a tour of the projects in Chirozva last Thursday, Manicaland Provincial Administrator and REA board member, Mr Fungai Mbetsa, urged villagers to come up with projects that can change their lives.
“This is a chance for people in rural areas to start changing their lives. Farmers should start installing electricity pumps, begin horticulture projects and earn money so that they can send children to school among other things. Everything is possible with electricity and this is the chance now. Automatically, rural communication and health facilities will be improved and I would like to thank REA for the projects,” said Mr Mbetsa.
Marewo Primary School senior teacher, Mr Reginald Mukwindidza, said: “A more conducive environment has been created for teachers and now we can’t even dream of transferring to urban schools because electricity will now be available here.”
REA was established by the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), through an Act of Parliament in 2002, focusing on the rapid and equitable electrification of rural areas in Zimbabwe and the up-lifting of lifestyles of rural Zimbabweans.
It uses six percent levied on all electricity consumers to implement its projects in rural areas.
