WINDHOEK, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is targeting a 70 percent electrification rate in the capital city's informal settlements by 2030, said Natangue Ithete, deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, on Friday.
Namibia currently has just more than 400,000 households that still need to be connected, Ithete said during a commissioning ceremony of electrification projects in Windhoek's informal settlement. "To meet our 2030 target, we must connect at least 26,700 households per year."
According to Ithete, the ministry and the City of Windhoek jointly started these projects last financial year.
"Since the beginning of the electrification project last year, about 814 households in Windhoek's informal settlements have been connected, and 662 of those are already switched on," he added.
Looking ahead, Ithete said construction to connect another 162 households in Havana and Otjomuise will be completed by August.
"Furthermore, 15 high-mast lights will be installed in informal areas to improve safety and public lighting. The first five were put up in June and the remaining 10 by October," he said.
This is an important intervention for safety, comfort and visibility, Ithete said. "I believe that a well-lit community is a safer, more dignified community." ■
