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.

192 houses were connected to electricity at Ombili Informal Settlement at Otjiwarongo through CENORED's peri-urban electrification project.

Phase six of the project is also underway at a cost of N$1,8 million.

Board Chairperson Moses Matjayi says investing in energy infrastructure is part of the National Development Plan's key drivers for economic and social growth. 

The Acting Chief Regional Officer of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Benny Diergaardt, says about 90 households at Snyfontein will soon be connected to electricity.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the ||Kharas Regional Council are the custodians of the project.

Snyfontein has a population of just under 300 residents, consisting of mostly pensioners and unemployed youth.

Residents have for years been urging authorities to provide electricity to the settlement as most, including government buildings, make use of solar panels for their electricity needs.