– looking at partnership with businesses, PM says

Government plans to provide electricity to the residents of Mahdia and its environs, but this will not be done immediately.

Prime Minster Samuel Hinds, who also holds the post of Minister of Public Works and Communication, made this announcement at yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

He was answering a question posed to him by AFC MP Latchmin Budhan-Punalall, about the immediacy of the government’s plans to provide electricity to the residents of Mahdia and its environs.

The Prime Minister said Mahdia had been identified among the 100-odd communities in the hinterland region that the government intends to provide electricity to. And the community has been looked at as one of the pilot communities for the project.

However, according to Hinds, Mahdia is not without any form of electricity since three private businesses in the area provide electricity to some residents. He said that the policy of the government was to provide the capital costs for the project, while the consumers will look after the other costs. The government had approached the businesses towards an attempt to forge a partnership, but these discussions have been put on hold, he said.

Meanwhile, he said Port Kaituma has been identified as the area to undergo immediate electrification. He said as funds become available the government will return to Mahdia.