Government will allocate more than $20 million in the next three financial year’s to connect about 10,000 Fijians to electricity.

This was revealed by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday while updating Parliament about the Electrification Project.

In the next three years, 178 schemes would be funded, approved and connected to electricity in areas in Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Northern Division including Taveuni, Korovou, Namosi, Tailevu and Serua.

Since 2012, Government had allocated $237.2m for the project and utilised $187.4m to connect 491 schemes.

According to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, the project, which was previously known as the Rural Electrification Project by the Bainimarama Government, has been one of the most empowering projects that any Government has ever undertaken.

“Never before, and it’s fact, you can verify this; if you look at the kilometres of electrical cables that’s been laid since 2012 up till now, and if you compare it to any other period in Fijian Government history, it’s been the fastest at such a huge rate,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

The project also included the installation of solar panels and was no longer confined to the rural areas because there were some peri-urban areas that did not have electricity.

Some connections had to be put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and cyclones.

In the current financial year, $10.3m was budgeted for the project and $9.6m has been used to date.

He stated that in order to have more synergy, EFL had been contracted and were responsible for the grid extension and black wiring.

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