The County Government of Busia and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) have partnered to light up villages in Busia County.
The Corporation lauded Busia for being the first county to inject more resources in the programme since the first phase in 2016/2017 Financial Year.
Phase one of the project saw 22 villages lit after the County pumped in Sh17.5million with REREC’s matching fund of Sh19.3m to light up 15 villages.
The second phase in the 2018/2019 FY saw Busia inject the highest amount to date of Sh46.1m with 38 villages benefiting.
In the 2019/2020 FY Busia contributed Sh39.9m. REREC’s matching fund amounted to Sh36.7m with the ongoing exercise expected to light up 39 villages across all the 35 wards.
The current financial year has seen Busia County inject Sh39m with REREC’s matching Fund of Sh35m; the number of villages will be known after REREC’s technical team’s visit to the planned sites.
Governor Ojaamong signed a memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday between the County Government of Busia and REREC.
Ojaamong signed the MoU at KAWI House in Nairobi South C on behalf of the County Government while REREC Chief Executive Officer Peter Mbugua signed on behalf of the Corporation.
Under the collaborative framework, REREC will take nine months to complete all the pending projects with REREC CEO Peter Mbugua promising to liaise with Kenya Power to ensure all metering are completed without further delay.
The Governor told REREC to ensure the time frame for the completion of the project is observed to the latter, noting that the delay had led to anxiety.
He said electricity had helped improve cottage industries.
Mbugua said REREC will live up to its billing by completing all projects within the prescribed time, adding that the corporation will continue partnering with Busia County.
Only 16 Wards which set aside funds for rural electrification in 2020/2031 FY will benefit from the project while those wards which did not set aside funds will wait until the next financial year.
Engineer Mc Vivian Anyang will oversee the project on behalf of the County Government with Engineer Esther Ruto on behalf of REREC.
The Busia delegation present included CEC Member for Infrastructure and Energy Okwara Ekirapa, Chief of Staff Sebastian Okiring’, Deputy County Secretary Everlyne Ikwii, Chief Officer for Transport and Energy Eng. Gilbert Oduory, County Attorney Anyara Emukule and Director Energy McVivian Anyang’
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