By Ahmed Angulibo
WEST Nile Rural Electricity Company Ltd (WENRECO) will extend power supply to Arua and Nebbi districts from the present four hours per day to 18 hours per day by the end of the year.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Syda Bbumba said this while officiating at the signing of the West Nile Electrification Concession at Tree Shade Restaurant in Arua recently.
“WENRECO is obliged to extend the hours of power supply from the present four to at least 18 per day before the end of this year and to 24 hours per day on completion of Nyagak hydro power station,” she said.
“This means that before the end of this year, Arua and Nebbi will have electricity for the whole day except for six hours of sleep,” she added.
She advised the people in the region to translate the extension of hours of power supply into increased productivity and modernisation of the region.
She said the licence which had been given to WENRECO covers Arua and Nebbi with obligations to connect new customers numbering at least 4,000 up from about 1,000 in five years.
Bbumba said there was a fast-growing market for power in the region and that towns like Koboko, Yumbe and Pakwach, also needed power.
“As WENRECO takes over supply of power to Arua and Nebbi districts, they will need the support of the local governments and the central government,” Bbumba said.
“My ministry has undertaken to complete the Arua-Nebbi power line by the end of October 2003,” she added. Ends