“Affordable and reliable electricity is a life changer for everyone in the country. It is critical pillar of development.”
This was highlighted by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Rural and Maritime Development Hon. Jone Usamate while commissioning the Tuvavatu rural electrification project in Rakiraki today.
Minister Usamate reminded the residents that Government is focused on making sure that every Fijian shares the life-changing benefits that electricity provides.
“Having access to electricity improves the livelihoods of everyone, young and old and its effects multiply to contribute to the achievement of our development goals.”
“We have ourselves a national target ensuring that all Fijians have access to electricity by 2021. The completion of this extension is the result of planning, long-term thinking and a steady flow of investment from our government.”
Minister Usamate highlighted that over the past five years, Government has provided funding to the tune of around $224million towards the energy sector in which 70cents of every dollar spent in the sector have gone directly to rural electrification.
“To date more than 25,000 Fijian households have benefited from this program of rural electrification. In this current budget, Government has set aside an additional $12.5million to add another 1,400 households to that number.”
The project cost $480,000, this includes the money paid to Energy Fiji Limited for grid extension and also house wiring.
Close to 33 households of 165 people including the elderly, parents, youths and children will benefit from this investment.