Thaba Tseka __ The Prime Minister Mr. Ntsoakoane Matekane handed over the rural electrification project and handed over gifts to the vulnerable people at Lihloaeleng Ha Noha on Friday.

Addressing the communities, the Prime Minister said the country is at 54 percent of electricity connection adding that the availability of electricity at Ha Noha will help learners with their studies.

He highlighted that the government will ensure that every household is connected.

"We want to deliver services to the people to improve their lives," he said.

PM said he is grateful that the contractor employed people from the area he was working at.

He said two primary schools, ECCD and a Police station were also connected.

M31 million was used for the project. 102 villages will be connected this financial year with grid extension and the mini grids.

He also indicated that only 11 percent has been connected in the highlands and 70 percent in the urban areas.

He added that through support from Development Partners, they will achieve their mandate to have connected everyone by 2030.

10 grids are to be built and 9000 families, schools, health centers to benefit. Mashai and Sehonghong to benefit. Bobete, Lesobeng, Methalaneng to also benefit.

"We plan to produce a lot that we also sell to other countries," he said.

Meanwhile, he asked the Chief Accounting Officers to pay the business community on time as their plan is to boost the businesses.

He said as the country celebrates 200 years, Basotho should live in peace, and stop killings and had pleaded with the nation to cultivate their fields as the country is expecting enough rains.

Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Energy Professor Nqosa Mahao said in 2030 they have committed to ensure that each household has access to electricity and universal access to electricity.

He said the hard-to-reach areas have decided to use solar mini grids and where LEC is reachable, they will connect communities through them.

He said as the PM switches on at Lehloaleng, that marks the beginning indicating that this financial year they promise to connect not less than 30 communities.

On behalf of the Principal Chief, Chief Pshatlella Thaabe thanked the government for bringing light to their communities.

On behalf of the Community, Mr. Setsibi Setsibi expressed gratitude for the handover. 

Mr. Leloko Mokhutsoane from the rural electrification unit said they will be handing over the project to Ha Noha, ha Cheche and Rankomo, Thoteng, Rammutlanyaba and have pleaded with them to protect infrastructure.

The M231 million was used for the project in which each household was connected with M57400, 00 to connect each family M55, 400 and each household only paid M2000.00

The project was started in 2021 and 540 households have been connected.

At the same event the Prime Minister presented cadac stoves, 100 blankets, 5 liter paraffin, solar stoves to the vulnerable as well as the three computers, modem and internet for three months to Meriting, Senqunyane and Paballong primary schools.

Ithateleng Lihloaeleng scheme also presented to the Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and the Rural electrification staff with blankets.