Suva (DEPTFO) Feb 11 – Affordable and reliable electricity is a life changer for everyone in the country. It is critical pillar of development.
Jone Usamate highlighted this while commissioning the Tuvavatu rural electrification project in Rakiraki on Tuesday.
The project will provide electricity to 33 households of 165 people, a statement from the government said.
The minister reminded residents of Tuvavatu that Government was focused on making sure every Fijian shared in 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.”
Usamate said Government had funded $224million worth of energy projects in the last five years.
“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 Tuvavatu project cost $480,000 including money paid to Energy Fiji Limited for grid extension and also house wiring.