MANTRA Tanzania Limited has officially handed over a solar power project worth 28.7 million to Selous Secondary School in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region that will help in uplifting the school's studying environment and security.

Speaking during the hand-over ceremony held at the school's premises at the weekend, Mantra Tanzania Managing Director, Mr Asa Mwaipopo said the company was committed in ensuring education standard in the area improves.

Namtumbo District Commissioner Abdallah Lutavi who was the guest of honour at the event, was optimistic that the solar project will be a catalyst in improving the school's academic performance.

He directed the school's management to maintain the facility so as to achieve the intended goals. The DC said the project will complement the district's plan that seeks to ensure that every school in the district has a laboratory in place by December next year.

"To date, only six schools have got laboratories. Our mission is to ensure that all 27 secondary schools in the district get laboratories. This plan can not be achieved if there is no electricity, so Mantra Tanzania has made us proud", he said, adding: "We are so grateful to Mantra Tanzania for the donation and we will ensure that the project is well maintained," he said.

Speaking earlier at the same occasion, Namtumbo Member of Parliament, Mr Vita Kawawa called upon the local authorities to ensure that construction of boys' hostels is given priority during the district's next financial budget. "Boys are forced to walk several miles which puts their lives at the risk of being mauled by wild animals.

My plea is that construction of a boys' hostel should be given priority during the next financial budget," he said. Earlier, the school's Deputy Headmaster, Mr Henry Milanzi was grateful for the support. He said the school faces chronic problems such as lack of boys dormitory, clean and safe water and a fence, among others.