COAST Region has received 15bn/- from the central government to implement electrification projects in 135 hamlets.

Regional Commissioner Abubakar Kunenge made the announcement yesterday during a ceremony at his office which was organized by the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to introduce the contractor: China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co. Ltd which will carry out the project.

"We thank the government for the commitment to making Coast Region a strategic area by providing essential resources for development, including this electrification initiative," he said.

He urged the contractor to complete the project within the stipulated time frame as outlined in the contract.

 "Introducing contractors in this manner provides a clear overview of our progress. Congratulations to REA," he added.

Jones Olotu, Director of REA, reported that Coast Region has 417 villages, with 407—equivalent to 98 percent—already connected to electricity. He noted that the 10 villages yet to be electrified are in delta areas of Kibiti District (5 villages) and islands that fall within Mkuranga District (3 villages) and Mafia (2 villages).

"The unconnected villages are included in plans to receive alternative energy through off-grid projects," he said.

Regarding hamlets, he mentioned that Coast Region has a total of 2,045 hamlets, with 1,135—about 55.6 percent—connected to electricity.

The contractor has been engaged to electrify 135 hamlets, providing electricity to 15 hamlets in each of the nine constituencies in Coast Region at a cost of 14,983,763,390/-. The remaining 775 hamlets will continue to receive electricity as funds become available.

Olotu added that REA works closely with members of parliament to identify hamlets for the project in all nine constituencies in the region.

The contractor assured the RC that the project will be executed as per the contract and confirmed that all necessary preparations were made.