(Jamaica Gleaner) The government is seeking a US$9.4M loan from Venezuela for the wiring of 6,000 homes and the construction of 307 distribution lines island-wide.

Keith Garvey, managing director of the Rural Electrification Programme (REP), addressing the monthly meeting of the Manchester Parish Council held recently at the council’s chambers in Mandeville, said that loan would be matched by US$2.4M of local funds.

According to Garvey, once implemented, the project will bring the island’s electricity coverage to 97 per cent.

He noted that the REP would be boosting the voltage of electricity to 220 volts, which will result in an increase in the $42,000 charged to customers, to wire their homes.