Mbeya Region village asks govt license to generate power

By Beatrice Philemon
25th January 2015
Email
Print
Residents of Ifupa in Mbeya Region this week asked the government to authorize power generation in their village to help set-up income-generating activities for youth.

Ifupa ward councilor Hashimu Mwashangombe said the government should instruct Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to issue the needed license to help them get power.

He said EWURA can issue the license to Texpol Development Co Ltd to start generating electricity in Ilungu Ward villages, thereby attracting youth who migrated to urban areas to return home.

On Saturday last week media visited Ifupa Ward to report on what Texpol Development Co Ltd has accomplished in helping the local community access electricity.

Texpol Development Co Ltd was established by Tanzanians investors living in Poland who are committed to help Ilungu residents to access electricity.

Julius Moses Zellah and Raphael Moses Zellah founded the company. Julius was in the country in 2014 but when he returned last year he noted nothing had changed in terms of electricity supply to the villages.

Texpol expects to generate 6.2 MW from a hydropower project valued at $7.8million in six villages comprising Mwela, Mashese, Nyamwela, Shango, Ngole and Ilungu villages.

Mwashangombe said at Ifupa village many youth have skills in welding, mechanical engineering, grinding carpentry but because of absence of power many of them have moved to towns.

“Just look… the majority of youths are idle, they can’t access electricity that could help them start their businesses.

“We called on EWURA and the Ministry of energy to support to Ifupa youth start small scale industries, create job opportunities, help children learn from them and alleviate poverty, “he said.

If they come back they can produce a variety of products that are in great demand. “We ask the government to help build a good road to Ifupa village to help people travel in better environment, “he said.

The villagers praised Texpol Company for accepting to finance a hydropower project at Ilungu to improve electricity services in six villages.

“We ask investors within the country and from outside to emulate Texpol Development Co Ltd.