Premier to Tanesco: speed up operations to connect all Tanzanians to national grid

Dar es Salaam.  The prime minister of Tanzania, Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, has directed the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) – working through the country’s  Rural Energy Agency (REA) – to speed up its operations in a bid to ensure that all the people in rural areas are connected to the power grid.

He further revealed that the government has set aside Sh1 trillion for power generation and distribution in a bid to ensure that all the villages in the country were connected to the national grid.

The premier issued the directive on Friday, November 24, when he addressed an open rally held at the Tunduru stadium in Ruvuma region.

“At this time when the government is implementing rural electrification projects, I also urge Tanesco, under REA, to complement the government’s efforts to ensure that all Tanzanians have access to reliable electricity,” he said.

“Tanzanians are required to pay only Sh27,000 as power connection fee,” the premier stated. “To ensure that all Tanzanians have access to sustainable, affordable electricity supply, newly-registered customers will no longer be required to pay for connection application forms nor pay for the installation of electricity transmission poles.

“Those areas which will not be connected to the grid will be supplied with solar power to ensure that health centers and schools located in the respective areas do access electricity as well,” he said.

The prime minister took the opportunity to inspect various development projects that are being implemented in the district including the construction of a health facility at Nakayaya in Tunduru district.