Cuito - The Cunje 1 Hydroelectric Plant, in the municipality of Camacupa, in the province of Bié, officially started operating on Tuesday after undergoing rehabilitation works.
The Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, reinaugurated the infrastructure, destroyed in the 90s.
Rebuilt under the Integrated Plan for the Intervention of Municipalities (PIIM), the project now has the capacity to generate 1.8 megawatts of energy, compared to the previous 1.5. It will cover the municipalities of Camacupa and Catabola.
The works were budgeted at 16 million euros, including the construction of a 30-kilovolt line and medium and low voltage networks and public lighting, a 60-kilowatt transmission line, as well as the installation of three generator sets, which are currently producing 1,500 kilowatts.
In all, it generated 50 new direct jobs.
At the reinauguration, Minister João Baptista Borges gave assurances that the Angolan Government will continue to build other projects that contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities.
The governor of Bié, Pereira Alfredo, stressed that all the conditions have now been created for the municipalities of Camacupa and Catabola to begin to develop, looking at the industrial sector as a priority.
Hope for development is reborn in citizens
The completion of the hydroelectric project revived the hope of the citizens, who now hope for the development of these regions, as well as other towns in the country.
The satisfaction was expressed by the Vicar of the Immaculate Parish of the Conception of Camacupa, Fernando Cangenjo, who considered significant the work done so far in favor of the local population.
The prelate understands that the production of clean energy in the municipality could open new horizons of development, since the lack of energy almost kept away any private initiative in the region.
He said that the people awaited this day with hope, because, it is foreseen, great benefits for families, who will have energy permanently, thus ensuring more security.
Miguel Chivala, entrepreneur, foresees a boost in the commerce sector, stressing that most young people do not invest in the municipality due to lack of electricity.
For the young Bitilson Sahali, the energy sector is of such importance in the education sector, since classes can be extended to the pós-laboral.LB/PLB/DOJ
