Five communities at ‘Overseas’ in the Manprugu Moaduri District, Northern Region have been connected to the National Grid.

The communities include Yagba, Kubore, Loagri, Yizesi and Kunkua.

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Deputy Minister for Energy who pressed the button to connect the communities to the electricity said the move was part of government’s commitment to connect all communities to electricity and assured the remaining twelve communities in the area that they would soon get their share.

He said it was the plan of government to connect 1,400 communities in the three Regions of the North to the National Grid and that would fulfill the promises made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under President Dramani Mahama.

He stressed that the overseas area since independence never enjoyed electricity until now and indicated that the overseas communities were living testimonies to attest to the new development.

“We are doing so because we care for you,” he stressed.

He said access to electricity was a cardinal tool for development and added that it would bring along not only economic activities but enhance access to information technology and entreated the people to make very good use of the power.

He said government was committed to improving livelihoods in the three regions and mentioned among other things a shea butter factory, a teaching hospital, cement factory, an airport and said for the first time a Hajj organization was instituted to enhance travelling on pilgrimages.

Mr John Nuworklo, Managing Director, Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo.) of the Volta River Authority (VRA) thanked government for connecting electricity to the area and urged the communities to manage power and pay their electricity bills promptly for efficient service delivery.

He also urged them to avoid illegal connections since it was dangerous and perpetrators could face the law when caught.

Mr Nuworklo advised them to beware of dangers attached to use of power and added that a sensitization component of VRA would begin soon in the area to educate the people on use of power.

Wung-Naaba Alhaji Sulemana Saaka, Paramount Chief of the area thanked government for fulfilling its pledge and ensuring businesses flourish in the areas through electricity.

The Wung Naaba however called on government to construct a bridge over the river in the area to make travelling to other adjoining districts easier.

Mr Maxwell Awuntor Mahama, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Manprugu Moaduri was full of appreciation to government for coming to the aid of the area and assured it of their commitment and that of the people to work to bring development to the area.