THE Deputy Minister for Minerals and Energy, Mr George Simbachawene, has assured the House that the government through the Rural Energy Agency (REA) will electrify the newly established Kalambo District by 2013.

Mr Simbachawene said that the project will cost 3.9bn/- and over 380 customers are set to benefit from the project once it was put into place.

The deputy minister was responding to Josephat Kandege (Kalambo-CCM) who sought to know when the district was going to be electrified, citing CCM election manifesto that clearly indicated that all regions and districts were to be connected with power.

Mr Kandege also demanded to know when the government was going to ensure that Kigoma, Katavi and Rukwa regions were going to be incorporated in the national grid.

The deputy minister said that there were plans to connect Kasanga Port and Matai through REA, insisting that the government was determined that all earmarked areas were to be connected without delay.

Mr Simbachawene added: "Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) is ready to make an assessment and afterwards electrify Mwimbi, Myunga, Ninga, Katazi, Mwazye, Ulumi, Sopa, Mkowe and Kisumba towns under REA project in the third phase to be implemented in 2013/2014."

On incorporating Kigoma, Katavi and Rukwa to the national grid, the deputy minister said that the government has embarked on plans to ensure that the mentioned regions also enjoy electricity through the national grid.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister said that the government will also spend 420m/- in the year 2012/2013 to electrify Kwamzindawa, Mkwakwani and Gereza villages in Mnyuzi ward -- Korogwe constituency. He was reacting to Stephen Ngonyani (Korogwe Rural-CCM) who questioned when the government will take power to the villages.