By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –

SWEDEN has praised the rural electrification programme and is confident that it will help improve education and health services for the rural population.

Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom said the programme by Government would benefit the people in rural areas where power would be connected.

Ms Nordstrom said Government’s programme to link power to the rural community was a sure way to improve the health and education services.

She said the electrification exercise had contributed to improving the pass rate for pupils in rural schools and was happy that the development had positively contributed to the health sector.

Ms Nordstrom was speaking yesterday during a tour of the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) projects to check how they had benefitted the people of Chibombo District.

REA chief executive, Geoffrey Musonda was also pleased that the project was making a difference by uplifting the living standards of people.

“I am pleased that the feedback is positive, I personally think it is not just about the job to render service but to make a difference and touch lives,” he said.

The Shimukuni Grid Extension Project was commissioned in August 2009 at a cost of K2.6 million and was handed over to Zesco for operation and maintenance.

Shimukuni Rural Health Centre clinical officer Justine Mukuka said electricity played an important role in the daily operations.

He said the clinic was understaffed and had inadequate infrastructure to cater for the whole population.

Shimukuni Primary School deputy head teacher, Isaac Mwami said the installation of power by REA had improved the pass rate of pupils at the learning institution.

Mr Mwami said the work of teachers who were required to prepare their daily teaching schedules had greatly been assisted by the electricity connected to the area.