Energy Minister of Tanzania, Dr Medard Kalemani yesterday alerted thugs whom he accused of fiddling with power transformers to steal oil, saying their days are numbered.He mentioned that these kind of swindling and embezzelment has to stop fast.He also mentioned that masterminds behind this larcency and pilfering would be penalized severely.
He was addressing Isangijo and Nyanguge villagers during his tour of Rural Energy Project being implemented under the Rural Energy Agency’s (REA) third phase, which has started in Mwanza region recently.The minister said the government has already launched REA phase III with all 86 villages in Magu district set for electrification.
“The government is busy connecting villages to power but there are some people who used to pilver transformer oil, jeopardising the apprehensive performance of the project. He warned them strongly and said ,”Stop that otherwise your days are numbered”.
Dr Kalemani further added that REA III will ensure a substantial number of villages in the district are connected and challenged the villagers to get prepared for the project by contributing a token 27,000/- per household.This would be for the betterment of the country as well as the citizens.
He said people’s cry for electricity was one thing but being ready to connect it into their houses was quite another, asking them to pay the amount in lamp sum or in installments as it was totally incorrect.
He directed the project contractor who began with the work yesterday to speed up the project and make sure that all allocated villages are connected without any kind of deviation.
To grandstand the new phase has started, Dr Kalemani said over 500 power poles will be delivered from today ready for the work. In another development, the minister said around 250 ready board machines have been distributed to the district for power connection without necessarily doing wiring.
The South African manufactured machines are effective for rural energy installations and cost effective compared to complete full house wiring, which usually costs between 150,000/- and 300,000/- depending on the size of the house.
Earlier, the Member of Parliament for Magu Festus Kiswaga thanked the government for responding to the public outcry for power, asking the villagers to stop complaining and wait for power.
