The Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) on Tuesday officially launched phase six of its electrification project for the Ombili informal settlement at Otjiwarongo.

Speaking at the launch, Cenored Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Kahimise said phase six will see the electrification of about 192 households in the informal settlement, by a private contractor at a cost of N.dollars 1.7 million.

He added that the project will be completed by end of July this year, noting: “Immediately after the completion next month, we will also electrify extra 100 households as we intend to electrify the entire Ombili settlement probably by this year.”

Cenored in 2020 electrified 140 houses in Ombili and 150 others in 2019, he said.

Kahimise promised to continue electrifying other households in informal settlements of the Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Omaheke, Oshikoto and partly Omaheke regions where Cenored is tasked by the Government to distribute electricity services.

Thirty-year-old Beverly Urikos, a beneficiary of this new connection told Nampa that electricity is now a basic need and it is a pleasure for her and her three children to have their house connected to the power line.

Another beneficiary, Julienda Kampungu who is the town deputy mayor and a resident of Ombili said she was very excited as she in her capacity as a resident and a politician, promised residents to bring services to the area during her political campaigns in 2019.

“We will now be able to charge our cellphones, iron our clothes, keep our food in fridges and watch our televisions in our homes, we are really happy,” she said.

Otjiwarongo Constituency councillor and chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Marlayn Mbakera on her part said it is becoming hard to bring services to the people due to economic challenges.

She also attributed the difficulties to the outdated laws and alleged bad attitudes of some officials.

Otjiwarongo Mayor Gottlieb Shivute and local authority councillor Sebetius Guiteb also attended the event.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency