Government allocates N$12 million for peri-urban electrification in ||Kharas and Hardap - nbc

The government has allocated N$12 million towards the electrification of peri-urban households in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions. 
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME), Modestus Amutse, announced this while officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for the connection of the Gogoros informal settlement in Mariental to the electricity grid. 

Minister Amutse revealed the government intends to increase the N$12 million peri-urban household electrification budget to at least N$20 million.  
A total of 195 households living in the Gogoros informal settlement are set to benefit from the electrification project. 

"Today is more than a ceremonial event; it is a renewal of the government's promise to work with the communities through their elected leadership to ensure that access to electricity reaches every household regardless of location or income level. For many years peri-urban communities have existed in a difficult space; they grow rapidly, they absorb people seeking opportunity, and yet development often struggles to keep pace. Today's projects are a direct response to that reality," says Amutse.  

Amutse encouraged households to embrace renewable energy solutions such as solar systems, especially where grid connections are technically difficult or financial limitations exist. 

"The Ministry already operates a solar revolving plant which assists households to finance in an affordable manner." 

The minister reminded those awarded contracts to connect peri-urban households to the grid connections to deliver quality and efficient service. 
Moreover, he urged local authorities and regional councils to timely execute projects aimed at improving the living conditions of communities they serve. 

The Southern Regional Electricity Distributor's (SORED) board chairperson, Julien Engelbrecht, said the company aims to electrify 300 households in peri-urban households this year. 

Also speaking at the occasion was Mariental Mayor Ethel Isaack. 

"This investment is more than infrastructure; it is an investment for our community, for your opportunity and for your future." 

Some of the electrification project's beneficiaries shared their sentiments of excitement. 

"We are very grateful. We have been waiting for a long time. We have endured darkness. But we want to express our gratitude to the government."

"I am very happy. It is not every day that we see our senior government officials. And I also praise the Town Council. I am giving the thanks on behalf of all the beneficiaries."