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| The Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, Mr. Anamringi Macha, speaks during the introduction of the contractor who won the bid to implement the project, a local company called Derm Group (T) Limited. This introduction was done by the Rural Energy Agency (Rea). Photo: Courtesy |
By The Respondent reporter
Shinyanga
– The Tanzanian government, through the Rural Energy Agency (Rea), is rolling
out a major Sh 11.18 billion initiative to expand electricity access across 90
rural hamlets in Shinyanga Region.
The
project, which aims to electrify 2,970 households, was introduced on November
5, 2024, with REA’s Western Zone Project Manager, Engineer Robert Dulle,
presenting the project contractor, Derm Group (T) Limited, to Shinyanga
Regional Commissioner Mr. Anamringi Macha.
“We
express our gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for approving Sh
11,184,759,397.2 for this project, which will significantly benefit Shinyanga’s
rural communities,” said Engineer Dulle. “Today, we are here to formally
introduce the contractor, and preliminary work is already underway.”
Mr.
Macha praised REA for its transparent processes and commitment to engaging
regional and district leaders in the project’s rollout. “This project brings
tremendous promise for Shinyanga’s development. Access to electricity is
fundamental to advancing our region, especially as demand rises for both
household and economic purposes,” said Mr. Macha.
He
emphasized Shinyanga’s rapid growth and the need for reliable power to support
key sectors, including mining and agriculture. “We have a thriving rice farming
sector here, and electrification can help farmers add value locally, such as
milling rice for polished products, which boosts income and creates job
opportunities in rural areas,” he said.
Mr.
Macha also urged Derm Group to deliver the project on time and to high
standards, highlighting the importance of hiring local workers where possible.
“We’re pleased to see a Tanzanian company leading this effort and urge them to
prioritize hiring local labor, particularly for roles that don’t require
specialized skills.”
Engineer
Dulle provided an update on Shinyanga’s electrification efforts, noting that of
the region’s 2,703 hamlets, 930 are already connected to electricity. The
additional 90 hamlets under this project will further extend electrification
across six key constituencies: Shinyanga, Solwa, Kishapu, Msalala, Ushetu, and
Kahama.
The
two-year project, initiated on September 3, 2024, is slated for completion by
August 19, 2026. “The remaining hamlets will be connected as funds become
available,” Engineer Dulle added.
Updating
stakeholders on rural electricity access, Engineer Dulle reported that out of
Shinyanga’s 506 villages, 485 (96%) have access to electricity. The remaining
21 villages, located in Kahama District, are in the final stages of
electrification under REA Phase III Round II, led by Tontan Project Technology
LTD JV Group Six International.
With
these efforts, Tanzania continues its mission to provide equitable access to
electricity, promoting sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life
for rural communities across the country.