The electrification of rural areas will be a main priority for the Otjozondjupa Regional Council in 2024.

The regional authority aims to electrify the Tsumkwe and Gam settlements first.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua says these two settlements are the only areas in the region that are still powered by solar and diesel generators.

In an interview with nbc News, Uerikua says an assessment of the rural electrification needs of Tsumkwe and Gam is now complete and only awaiting funding to start in the coming year.

If approved, the settlements will be connected to the same line.

Rooidag, Gate-M'kata Village, and Mangetti Dune were all connected in 2022 at a cost of N$40 million.

"CENORED has already conducted assessments, and a report is available. As to what it will cost to take electricity from Mangatti to Tsumkwe and eventually to electrify the whole village around Tsumkwe, we are just now in the process of trying to actually approach the Minister of Mines and Energy for us to see the possible funding of such a programme, which is our key priority."

Kombat Settlement's rural electrification programme is also on the cards.

At Otjiwarongo town, parts of the Orwetoveni residential area will be electrified too, including informal settlements such as Ombili, DRC, and other identified areas.

"The reality that we are experiencing now is that there is a constant influx of people from rural areas to urban areas, primarily into Otjiwarongo. Why is it that it is the drought situation that is forcing people from rural areas? Number two is also the development pace at which Otjiwarongo is actually growing. It is actually luring people into the centre with the hope that they will find greener pastures, and in a way, it's already putting the existing pressures as far as service delivery is concerned. So electrifying areas like those is key."

Kalkfeld Settlement and several villages in the Okakarara Constituency have also been planned.