Maputo — Sena town, on the south bank of the Zambezi, in the central Mozambican province of Sofala, started on Wednesday receiving electric power from the Cahora Bassa dam, reports Monday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".

This power line is an extension from the town of Chimuara, in Zambezia province, through the district of Mutarara, in Tete, and across the river. It was installed at a cost of 5.3 million US dollars, granted by the government of Sweden.

The commercial director of the Mozambique Electricity Company (EDM), Higino Fabiao, said that the money was used to install a 60 kilometre long transport line, transformation posts and street lights.In Sena alone, EDM has invested about one million US dollars.

Here, EDM has already registered 71 consumers, including the local health centre, schools, public institutions, and other clients.

During the inauguration ceremony, chaired by Sofala provincial governor Felicio Zacarias, Fabiao said that his company has practically completed its master plan, aimed at extending the national grid to the entire country over the next 15 years.

The Sena transmission line is part of the rural power distribution to the districts of Morrumbala and Mopeia, in Zambezia, also funded by the Swedish government.

Fabiao said that EDM is planning for next year to extend power supply to the Sofala towns of Caia, Murraca, Inhamitanga and Inhaminga.

With electricity, Sena is now able to improve the conservation of its meat and fish products, since its population lives essentially on fishing, in the Zambezi, and on cattle raising.

During the ceremony, Zacarias urged local residents to take advantage of this undertaking and increase their production, to ensure sustainable development of the area.