Rural Namibia to benefit from electricity improvements

29 April 2012

Within the next five years, all Namibian schools and households within an identified radius in rural areas will be electrified, it has been announced.

The move, which is also set to involve churches and market places, forms part of the government's five-year Rural Electrification Distribution Master Plan, which was officially launched last month.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba observed that there is urgent need for infrastructure improvement in the country's rural areas, where water and electricity supply are currently inadequate.

"We need to do more in order to expand physical and communication infrastructure such as roads in those areas. This is a very important and urgent imperative," he told the Namibia Economist.

Through the Local and Regional Economic Development White Paper, the government hopes that it will be able to improve the country's infrastructure and boost economic development.

To this end, the government has confirmed that it has set aside N$402 million (£31.9 million) in subsidies to local authorities for the current fiscal year.

Category: Energy