Zambia Electricity Service Corporation (ZESCO) and Rural Electrification Authority (REA) signed a 48.3 billion kwacha (about 15.58 million U.S. dollars) deal to make electricity available to all the rural areas, Times of Zambia reported Saturday.

At the signing ceremony held here Friday, ZESCO managing director Rhodnie Sisala commended REA for identifying ZESCO as a strategic partner in taking electricity to the rural areas.

He said ZESCO's connecting rural areas will reduce dependence on wood based sources and improve the livelihood of the rural people.

He also commended the government for setting up the REA to oversee implementation of the rural electrification projects in all the nine province of the southern African country.

"It is hoped that with the signing of this agreement, REA will ensure timely provision of the required funds to enable ZESCO to carry out speedy implementation of these 43 projects whose total estimated cost is 48.3 billion kwacha. We will ensure that the projects are completed within stipulated time," he said.

REA board chairman Likolo Ndalamei said on the same occasion that the projects are not an easy task especially in light of the overwhelming needs from all corners of Zambia.

Ndalamei said before the end of this month a team of Japanese experts funded by the Japanese government will come to work with the REA and the Ministry of Energy and Water Development to develop the plan.

At present most of the rural areas has no electricity services.

Source: Xinhua