World Bank to earmark $100m rural electricity transformation

By Ronald Kalyango                      

A World Bank mission is in the country to put final touches onto the third phase of Electricity for Rural Transformation (ERT III) project, the task team leader has said.

“We are perusing through the project proposal. We have visited some parts of the country and our prayer is to have the final decision taken by the end of this mission on October 20,” said Mits Motohashi.

Speaking to the New Vision on the sidelines of a send-off dinner for the outgoing task team leader for ERT II, Somin Mukheji at Tamarai restaurant in Kololo, Mits explained that the third phase is expected to cost about $100m.

“An indicative project cost of $100m has been proposed and discussed between World Bank and the government of Uganda. It will be the Bank's board of directors to take the final decision. But as a task team leader, I will play my role to present and defend the project for approval,” he noted.

Motohashi was optimistic that the third phase of the project is likely to be launched at the end of the second phase.  “We are likely to have a scenario of two projects running concurrently. The second phase will end in March 2016 but I am optimistic that by that time the third phase will be running already,”said Motohashi.

Rural Electrification Agency (REA)'s executive director, Godfrey Turyahikayo explained that his agency had constructed several lines and connected more houses onto solar under the ERT II.

He said under ERT Phase II, rural electrification agency is implementing the solar PV Targeted Market Approach (PVTMA) with major focus on promoting consumer credit and provide consumer subsidies for PV to targeted markets.

The outgoing team leader, Somin Mukheji said during his stay in Uganda, there were several achievements that were registered but also challenges that they encountered. But as a team they always found solutions to them.