The Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Monyane Moleleki says the government of Lesotho has made another plan to simplify electricity connection in the country.

This he said when addressing the public at Ha-Mohlapiso on Friday, Ha-Rankakala on Saturday and at Phellong, Ha-Mpiti on Sunday last week.

Mr. Moleleki said electricity connection is valued at M2 000 but the government has made it easy for the rural communities to pay M50 as deposit per household, the remainder of which will be paid over seven years.

The new scheme will start in April this year to ensure that the whole country is electrified, he said.

He noted that 60 000 households countrywide have been connected with electricity, the work which he said is being undertaken by local companies.

He said the M50 deposit is intended to help needy communities to also connect electricity as they were unable to pay the M500 which was initially a base mark.

Speaking during the gathering at Ha-Rankakala, a Member of Parliament for Tsoelike Constituency and the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili said electricity connection in rural areas will help preserve nature as people who resorted to wood for fuel will now use electricity.

He noted that once the electricity is connected, cutting of trees for fuel will end as many people will switch to using electricity.

Mr. Mosisili noted that electricity and water go hand in hand as they both simplify and improve human lives and therefore urged Ha-Rankakala community to immediately start paying the M50.00 deposit for the scheme to start.

Speaking at Pheellong, Ha-Mpiti, the Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs and also a Member of Parliament for Qacha’s nek Constituency, Dr Ponts’o Sekatle thanked the government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Natural Resources for considering electricity connection for rural households.

She advised communities where the scheme is yet to be introduced to be patient as they will also be connected.

The villagers have commended the government for this initiative, adding that their way of living will be simplified. Some noted that they will now be able to start small businesses as their commodities will no longer rot.

Source: 21/01/2008