Nored lights up Kavango traditional palaces

The mines and energy ministry in partnership with Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) has commissioned streetlights to the tune of N$1.7 million as part of its rural electrification initiative, benefitting the Sambyu and Uukwangali traditional authorities.Nored’s 2020/25 strategic plan prioritises stakeholder value creation, aligning with its objective to strengthen relationships and address the needs of the communities it serves.Speaking during the commissioning, Nored board director Timoteus Shinkeva highlighted the importance of engaging traditional leaders.“As part of Nored&#039;s strategic objective of improving stakeholder relationships, we conducted engagement sessions with all traditional authorities in 2022. In these sessions, we shared information about our mandate, successes, challenges and key strategic issues while also listening to their views and legitimate concerns,” Shinkeva said.He noted that one of the prominent concerns raised was the need for increased electricity access in rural areas.“A clarion call to provide public lighting and electrify traditional leadership palaces not yet connected to the grid was made. Nored’s leadership understood this request and partnered with the ministry of mines and energy and NamPower to address the issue,” he added.Dedication to traditional authorities In the Kavango regions, the Uukwangali Royal Palace in Kavango West and the Sambyu Royal Palace in Kavango East were identified for electrification. In the Omusati Region, the Ongandjera, Ombandja, Uukwaludhi and Uukolokandhi traditional authorities received similar interventions. Meanwhile, in the Zambezi Region, the Mafwe, Mashi, Mayeyi and Munitenge traditional authorities have already benefitted.“These projects are jointly funded by NamPower and Nored, with NamPower covering material costs and Nored providing labour and transport. The installation of streetlights for all identified traditional authorities has been completed,” Shinkeva said.He further emphasised Nored’s ongoing commitment to engaging stakeholders on electricity matters while cautioning the public about the dangers of electricity.“Let us always prioritise safety when dealing with electricity. It is extremely dangerous if not handled properly.”Deputy mines and energy minister Kornelia Shilunga praised the initiative as a testament to the ministry’s vision of ensuring no part of Namibia remains in darkness.“This project reflects our dedication to honouring traditional authorities, who play a critical role in connecting communities to the government and driving grassroots development,” Shilunga said.Lights on Namibia has 756 339 households, of which 59.5% – or 450 022 households – now have access to electricity. This is achieved through various means, with 46.9% (354 723 households) connected to the national grid and 12.4% (93 786 households) relying on solar systems, she said.She noted that urban areas boast a higher electrification rate of 77.3% (320 114 households), with 69.2% (286 570 households) connected to the grid and 8% (33 130 households) using solar systems.“These figures demonstrate significant progress in bridging the energy gap in our cities and towns, but there is still work to be done to extend these gains to rural areas,” Shilunga added.nikanor@erongo.com.na

Nored lights up Kavango traditional palaces

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-01

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Nored lights up Kavango traditional palaces

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-01

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