The Shibuyunji Town Council, in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), has commissioned the Shikatende Grid Extension Project (GEP) under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), bringing electricity to Shikatende Primary School, Shikatende Rural Health Centre and the surrounding community in Shibuyunji District, Central Province.

The project involved the construction of 9,100 metres of 33kV overhead line tapped from the existing 33kV network, as well as 500 metres of 400V overhead line for local distribution. The electrification works are expected to facilitate an initial 20 electricity connections, covering key public institutions and nearby households. The market area, which has a larger number of households and shops, is, however, earmarked for electrification this year under REA’s mainstream grid intensification programme.

Implemented at a contract sum of ZMW 3,696,923.54, the project marks another step towards expanding access to electricity in rural communities and improving service delivery in critical sectors such as education and health.

REA Regional Manager – Central, Eng. Lavender Kamanga said the commissioning of the Shikatende GEP demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in accessing electricity.

“By prioritising key public institutions such as schools and health facilities, we are directly contributing to improved service delivery and socio-economic development in Shibuyunji. We are also mindful of the unmet demand in areas such as the market, which is why plans are already underway to extend electricity through our ongoing grid intensification programme,” said Eng. Kamanga.

The electrification of Shikatende Primary School is expected to enhance the learning environment by enabling better lighting, improving study conditions for pupils, and supporting the use of modern teaching aids.

At the same time, power supply to Shikatende Rural Health Centre is expected to improve healthcare service delivery through better lighting, refrigeration for medicines and vaccines, and enhanced operation of essential medical equipment.