Story by Tamuka Charakupa
MASHONALAND West province has begun identifying beneficiaries of the provincial Presidential Rural Solar Installation programme set to be rolled out this April.
The programme is targeting to electrify at least 1.2 million households in the province by the year 2030.
Presiding over a sensitisation meeting held in Chinhoyi on Monday morning, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo said, the programme is part of efforts to bridge the urban-rural gap.
“This project is a testament to our government’s dedication to providing sustainable energy solutions and enhancing the overall quality of life for our citizens. It is part of the President’s drive to promote rural industrialisation development agenda and the realisation of the Rural Development Strategy by creating an expansion of solar-powered infrastructure. This initiative was approved, and it targets to solarise at least 1,2 million households nationwide over a period from 2025 to 2030. At least 200 000 households are expected to benefit from this project on a yearly basis from the year 2025,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Gabriel Jaji revealed that Kariba district will pioneer the initial phase of implementation, adding needy communities are first on the priority list.
“Kariba district will pioneer the programme in the province. We have seen that it is the most vulnerable district looking at areas like Siyakobvu and Mola to mention but a few. In light of the above, all government ministries, departments, and agencies should hit the ground in making necessary preparations towards implementation of this government programme,” he said.
Local authorities and stakeholders, which include the Rural Electrification Agency, Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) and Chinhoyi University of Technology(CUT), say the development does not only reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources but also catalyse rural industrialisation.
“We are in the process of identifying needy communities which are in blackout zones. In that regard, we are training trainers of trainers at provincial level, which we will cascade to districts and wards. REA will be supervising technical works, together with RIDA and other relevant stakeholders,” said Engineer Last Sauramba.
“We are starting with war veterans then vulnerable households. We are going to train local youths who will be equipped with knowledge on installation and maintenance,” said Provincial Coordinator of RIDA, Mrs Edwick Chikaka.
“As CUT, we also want to come on board in the implementation of projects of this nature because our students are willing to research and further develop the energy prototypes for mass production,” said CUT lecturer.
The development is part of the government’s rural industrialisation and empowerment thrust, which is a vehicle towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
