Namibia Minister Amutse: Okatana Electricity Connection Plan Ordered

• A N$681,365 electricity infrastructure project at Haimbodi Hamukoto Growth Centre in Okatana has installed power lines but not individual connections.
• Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse stated that households and businesses still lack direct power access despite the new infrastructure.
• Amutse has directed his office to develop a comprehensive service-connection plan, outlining costs, safety, procedures, and support for low-income households.
• The minister emphasized that true electrification involves homes connected, enterprises started, and jobs created, not just infrastructure.
• Okatana, with 20,000 people and 21 growth centres, is expected to see expanded economic opportunities through electricity, complemented by off-grid solutions where necessary.

Access is not yet connection. Connection is not yet development.

An electricity infrastructure project, valued at N$681,365, has successfully brought power infrastructure closer to residents within the Haimbodi Hamukoto Growth Centre in Namibia's Okatana constituency. This initiative, funded by the Oshana Regional Council and executed by the Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) in collaboration with Forever Electrical and Construction, established the foundational "backbone" necessary to supply the growth centre. The completed works include the installation of a medium-voltage line, a transformer, and an aerial bundled conductor line, signifying a significant step in regional development.

However, despite this substantial investment, individual households and businesses within the area currently remain without direct power connections. Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse clarified on Friday that while the infrastructure is in place, it should not be mistaken for comprehensive electrification. He emphasized that the project's scope did not extend to providing connections to individual homes and commercial establishments, noting that a power network could pass directly by a family, yet they would still be "in darkness."

Recognizing this critical gap, Minister Amutse has issued a directive to his office, instructing them to collaborate with Nored, the Oshana Regional Council, the local constituency office, and the community to formulate a detailed service-connection plan. This strategic Namibia Okatana electricity connection plan is designed to bridge the divide between the existing infrastructure and actual household and business access to power.

The minister outlined several key components that this plan must address. It needs to identify which households and businesses are prepared for connection, clearly define all necessary safety requirements, and meticulously detail the application procedures and associated costs. Furthermore, the plan is expected to establish a clear timetable for implementation, pinpoint specific barriers faced by low-income households, and propose lawful support mechanisms or phased solutions to overcome these challenges. Amutse underscored the importance of transparent communication, stating that communities should receive regular progress reports to ensure public investment translates from mere power lines into active connections and productive use.

Minister Amutse articulated a broader vision for electrification, asserting that "Access is not yet connection. Connection is not yet development." He urged residents and businesses capable of affording connections to come forward, advising them to prepare their premises through qualified electrical practitioners and strictly avoid illegal connections, which pose severe risks of property damage or loss of life. The minister also called upon the community to actively safeguard the new infrastructure by reporting incidents of cable theft and vandalism, ensuring children are kept away from electrical equipment, and diligently paying for their electricity consumption.

With a population of 20,000 people and 21 growth centres, Okatana stands to gain significant economic opportunities from widespread electricity access. Professions such as poultry producers, gardeners, traders, welders, and tailors could leverage power to substantially increase their production and output. Amutse also stressed that conventional grid connections should be supplemented by alternative solutions like mini-grids, solar home systems, or other off-grid technologies in areas where distance or affordability make traditional connections impractical. Ultimately, he concluded, the true measure of electrification would be reflected in the number of homes connected, new enterprises launched, jobs created, and opportunities shared across the community.

Source: Original reporting via New Era.