The target for the next two years is 100 percent access to electrification says Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Jone Usamate.

He was responding to questions raised by Social Democratic Liberal Party’s Anare Jale, who had asked the minister on how local farmers who do not have electricity, will be connected to the Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) power grid.

Minister Usamate said according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s farmer listings, Fiji has more than 69,000 farmers, most of whom have been assisted by the ministry through the Rural Electrification Project.

“Over the past five years, we have invested about $163 million in rural electrification, an increase of two and a half times from what we were spending in 2014” Mr Usamate said.

“Out of that $163 million, $92.8 million has been paid to EFL for extending the grid.

“Grid extensions for 367 schemes, a total 12,417 houses in areas in Seaqaqa, Navala and Namau, Navosa and Wainibuka among others.”

Ministry of Infrastructure current projects to extend EFL grid :

• Waibau settlement in Naitasiri to cater for 376 people

• Lomaivuna settlement and nearby communities for 1148 people

• Lagalaga settlement in Labasa for 1320 people

• Solove in Seaqaqa for 500 people

• Qiolevu Road in Naitasiri for 345 people

• Tokaimalo District in Ra for 655 people

• Vunimere Weimanuca settlement in Seaqaqa for 1000 people

Some of the 2018/2019 projects that have already been paid to EFL to start with the design, and construction later on:

• Halawa District in Nassau Rakiraki which will cater for 3000 people

• Lalakoro, Vunimako in Seaqaqa for 715 people

• Wailagi to Naselele village in Taveuni for 1475 people

• Naikilikoso and Wainikoro in Labasa for 510 people.

Edited by Percy Kean

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