Dodoma — THE government has set aside 71bn/- in the 2013/14 financial year to supply electricity to all districts in the country in line with President, Jakaya Kikwete's promises during the 2010 election campaigns.

The Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr George Simbachawene (Energy) told the National Assembly on Wednesday that the project will also cover Kasulu and Kibondo districts.

He also admitted that the national power utility company (Tanesco) was currently facing a challenge to connect all its customers because it has been overwhelmed by requests following the government decisions to lower connection charges effective January, this year.

He said that out of 133 districts in the country only 16 are yet to be supplied with electricity. These include the new districts of Kakonko, Uvinza and Buhigwe.He added that implementation of the project to connect these districts will start this year under the Rural Energy Agency (REA) second phase programme, on which, 10.32bn/- will be spent.

Simbachawene said the government was keen to overcome these challenges especially to ensure the supply of relevant material such as electricity poles and Luku metres were in place to meet the ever increasing connection demands.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Josephina Genzabuke (Special Seats - CCM), who inquired when the government would supply reliable power services to Kakonko, Uvinza and Bihugwe districts.

Meanwhile, at least 1,505 new customers in Lake Rukwa valley will be connected to power supply by Tanesco, the National Assembly was told here on Tuesday.

Mr George Simbachawene said that the government through Tanesco has already conducted a feasibility study for the project.

He said that the project would cover Muze, Mtowisa, Mfinga, Milepa, Kaoze Kipeta, Kilyamatuandu, Kilangawana, Kipenta and Nankanga villages and would cost a total of 5.44bn/-.

The project would see a total of 1,505 initial customers will be connected. Simbachawene said currently the government through Rural Energy Agency (REA) was soliciting funds for the implementation of the project.

He further said that Momba District Council has entered into an agreement with a US based company - CAMsky, for a power generation project at River Momba falls.

He said the project was due to start before the end of this year, adding that development at River Nzovwe falls still awaits an investor.The deputy minister was reacting to a question by Ignas Malocha (Kwela - CCM), who wanted to know when the government would provide power in Lake Rukwa valley