We have a keen interest in this project, perhaps more than most of the initiatives government is currently embarking on. This is because we think this is one of those projects that would play a major role in nudging our country further up into a more equitable society. As a country, we have made strides in economic development, but in many instances, despite our relative success in spreading infrastructural development, we have not been able to bring the majority of our citizens into the mainstream of a modern country. Most of our people view our success from a distance, unable to see it in their lives.
We think alongside building dams and availing water, health and education services, making electricity accessible is one of the most important services a government could ever offer to its people. When government announced its intention to engage in this project, which includes electrifying 100 villages a few years ago, we were quick to point out that this would be a very important project to this country. However, as often happens with government contracts, we feared that this project would over-run its schedule and cost the taxpayer dearly. It turns out government had to give another US$6 million to fulfill the project as a result of cost-overuns. We think government should watch out for cost over-runs and nip them in the bud.
