After experiencing serious power issues that resulted in residents of Kwakwani going long hours without electricity several months ago, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson says that a budgetary allocation of $374M for powering communities, will assist them in receiving a 24-hour supply.
During the consideration of the budget 2019 estimates yesterday, Opposition Member Juan Edghill, who shadows the Public Infrastructure Minister, questioned Patterson on an allocation of $374,626,000 under the Community Power line item. Edghill questioned whether the allocation will be enough to supply power to the community of Kwakwani, considering the persistent power issues they have faced over the past months.
In his response, Patterson explained that the subsidy caters for a 24-hour supply of electricity, which prompted Edghill to ask, “Could the Minister confirm to this House that the ability of the residents to receive 24-hour electricity supply in Kwakwani had nothing to do with engines failure but the shortage of fuel; and if this money is for the purchase of fuel, how would their suffering be alleviated at this same level of contributions of 2019?”
