The Ministry of Mines and Energy has allocated more than N$17 million to electricity projects in the Zambezi Region for this financial year.

This was revealed by the Minister, Tom Alweendo, during a meeting with the Zambezi Regional Council leadership at Katima Mulilo.

Alweendo says Zambezi, like some of the regions, is lagging behind in terms of electrification at an average of below 50% because of insufficient resources.

He stressed that electricity is no longer a luxury but a necessity that no one can live without, and no development can take place without it.

Alweendo called on the Zambezi Regional Council, NORED, and NamPower to ensure that the funds allocated are spent as provided, for the benefit of the residents.

This year, the Ministry of Mines and Energy received a budget of N$120 million for electrification purposes.

"Therefore, from the planning to the execution, let's make sure that we do not come to a situation where we have money unspent yet we have people who need to be provided with electricity; therefore, I urge all the planners to make sure that we utilise the budget as provided and make sure that people do get the electricity that they deserve."

All the councillors and other leaders have been advised to ensure that they channel their electrification requests through the regional council instead of each constituency submitting its own.

Zambezi Governor, Alufea Sampofu, noted that there is a need to electrify schools in the flood-prone areas.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer for NORED, Toivo Shovaleka, says the plan for the flood-prone areas was initially to install solar panels, but communities declined the off-grid option citing the climatic condition.

The community, he said, also fears theft along the Namibia-Zambia border; hence, putting solar systems at schools will just be a waste.

Shovaleka noted that NORED will electrify Chotto extensions seven and eight, as well as Bukalo and Kongola Shackdwellers Federation houses.