Residents of Epukiro who have been connected to the electric grid have been urged to capitalise on it to better their lives.

The Constituency Councillor, Piniel Pakare, made an appeal in an interview with nbc News at Ohakavena, one of four villages just electrified through the Rural Electrification Project.

Pakarae says the rural electrification project is a costly exercise, but the government, through its stakeholders, is trying to light up rural areas.

The number of new villages being electrified will bring the total number of villages electrified at Epukiro to 17.

"In order to take electricity to a certain locality, there have to be criteria, but there have to be some evident features that say this particular village deserves it, and that will be when people start producing either in terms of crops or weaving, we should see local economic activities taking place in a certain village. That will justify electricity. My appeal is that they should not just wait and demand electricity for lighting, they must leverage this type of activity. If we can have that outlook, it will help us a lot that there is justification."

Pakarae also called for coordination amongst various stakeholders who deal with community projects to avoid delays and overspending.

"Coordination between contractors and consulting companies should, in my view, be strengthened so that we deliver services promptly and make sure that the money invested is worthwhile in terms of the benefit that derives from this investment."

A resident of Ohakavena, Uaapi Kanguatjivi, is optimistic that their lives will be transformed.

"Even at this age, we are also selling kapana, but now with electricity, all your products will be in good order while at home. At present, we are challenged by gas, which is expensive, and a time travel to nearby villages that have been electrified."