News / Local
REA electrifies 2 schools in Mwenezi
09 May 2016 at 01:54hrs | Views
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has electrified two schools in Mwenezi East bringing to 40 the number of schools electrified thus far in the district.
Masvingo Mirror reported that Shazhaume Primary and Budirirai Secondary under chief Negari were switched on recently at a ceremony attended by tens of villagers, local chiefs, REA spokesman Johannes Nyamayedenga and the chief executive officer Engineer Joshua Mashamba.
Provincial Administrator, Felix Chikovo confirmed the developments to The Mirror in an interview. He is also chairman of the finance committee in the REA board chaired by Willard Chiwewe. REA was established through an Act of Parliament in 2002 to mainly spearhead electrification of rural areas.
"Two schools in Mwenezi were switched on last week at high profile switch on ceremony as part of the rural electrification under ZimAsset program. Every year two such ceremonies are held and our target is to electrify all rural clinics, Government institutions, schools and chief's homesteads by 2018.
"Each province is given US$2.3million per year for electrification in the rural areas primarily funded by a 6% levy which is levied on all electricity consumers as well as fiscal allocations," said Chikovo.
A 12km line of high voltage and a 1km of low voltage were laid to the schools at a cost of US$17 000 per kilometre and the line will be extended by a further 16km to cover Chief Negari, Nehanda clinic, Negari Primary school, Guiding Star Secondary and Rata Primary said Nyamayedenga.
"A total of 22 primary schools, 18 secondary schools, 12 clinics, four Chiefs' homesteads, 11 business centre and three villages have been switched on in Mwenezi district and more will be added by the end of the year," he added.
The PA also said that besides hydro and thermal power they also use human waste to produce gas for cooking as it is more efficient, less expensive and environmentally friendly.
"We also use alternative energy and Gokomere High School is a good example where human waste is used for cooking and heating water as it is quicker and cheaper, we therefore encourage people especially farmers to resort to alternative energy than to wait for electricity which is in short supply," said Chikovo.
Masvingo Mirror reported that Shazhaume Primary and Budirirai Secondary under chief Negari were switched on recently at a ceremony attended by tens of villagers, local chiefs, REA spokesman Johannes Nyamayedenga and the chief executive officer Engineer Joshua Mashamba.
Provincial Administrator, Felix Chikovo confirmed the developments to The Mirror in an interview. He is also chairman of the finance committee in the REA board chaired by Willard Chiwewe. REA was established through an Act of Parliament in 2002 to mainly spearhead electrification of rural areas.
"Two schools in Mwenezi were switched on last week at high profile switch on ceremony as part of the rural electrification under ZimAsset program. Every year two such ceremonies are held and our target is to electrify all rural clinics, Government institutions, schools and chief's homesteads by 2018.
A 12km line of high voltage and a 1km of low voltage were laid to the schools at a cost of US$17 000 per kilometre and the line will be extended by a further 16km to cover Chief Negari, Nehanda clinic, Negari Primary school, Guiding Star Secondary and Rata Primary said Nyamayedenga.
"A total of 22 primary schools, 18 secondary schools, 12 clinics, four Chiefs' homesteads, 11 business centre and three villages have been switched on in Mwenezi district and more will be added by the end of the year," he added.
The PA also said that besides hydro and thermal power they also use human waste to produce gas for cooking as it is more efficient, less expensive and environmentally friendly.
"We also use alternative energy and Gokomere High School is a good example where human waste is used for cooking and heating water as it is quicker and cheaper, we therefore encourage people especially farmers to resort to alternative energy than to wait for electricity which is in short supply," said Chikovo.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
