Africa-Press – Angola. The lack of electricity from the national grid is conditioning private investment in the municipality of Caimbambo (Benguela) and consequently its development, said the local administrator, José Ferreira.
Land of citrus fruits, such is the abundance in the production of oranges, lemons and tangerines, which once supplied the soft drink factories in Benguela and Lobito, Caimbambo, with more than 120 thousand inhabitants, depends on the supply of generator sets, an obstacle to the your progress.
However, that situation now seems to have its days numbered, as the Provincial Government of Benguela plans to install an energy transmission line from the Lomaum hydroelectric dam, in the municipality of Cubal, to end the lethargy of years in Caimbambo.
José Ferreira confirmed this Friday, in an interview, that the authorities are working to implement this line for the transmission of electricity from the Lomaum power station.
If, on the one hand, he admits that Caimbambo is one of the most backward municipalities in Benguela in terms of development, on the other hand, he believes that a megawatt of energy, at least, coming from Lomaum, should satisfy the consumption needs of the urban core , of villages and communes.
“Not only am I talking about distribution to the domestic sector and administrative services, such as the hospital, but I am also talking specifically about energy that can galvanize the agricultural sector”, highlights the official.
Pointing to the weak investment in infrastructures, in colonial times, and the war as two factors behind the slow progress of the land of citrus fruits, José Ferreira believes that, with energy from Lomaum, cheaper and cleaner, the municipality will develop if at a different pace.
In his view, in addition to generating well-being for families, electricity will also attract investors interested in the progress of Caimbambo, focusing in particular on agriculture and livestock.
And he brags about how Caimbambo is strong in raising cattle, because of its semi-desert climate, favorable for the promotion of livestock, but also in the cultivation of cereals, with emphasis on massambala and massango.
strategic investment
José Ferreira considers the Lomaum transmission line project to be strategic in favor of the municipalities of Cubal, Ganda and Caimbambo, as it will have an impact on the development of the primary sector of the economy.
“If we want to combat the exodus of populations from rural areas to large population centres, we have to continue investing in these areas”, he stressed.
In the administrator’s estimates, by increasing the supply of energy, many citizens will be able to bet on agriculture and livestock in a scientific way, leaving rudimentary techniques behind.
“With few heads of cattle, we can exploit derivative products, such as milk, butter and cheese, creating infrastructures that generate jobs and services”, he says, referring that investment in the primary sector of the economy will make the populations return to field.
Approximately 70,000 inhabitants in the urban core of the municipal seat of Caimbambo benefit from electricity, under restrictions, from 6 pm to 6 am, via generator groups that guarantee a production of 600 KVA.
Given that the municipality has a population of over 120,000 inhabitants, spread across the municipal seat and three communes – Catengue, Cayave and Wiyamgombe, the source acknowledges that coverage does not meet needs, so supply is only done at night.
Even so, the official guarantees that the energy supply situation will improve, as soon as the connection with the planned transmission line from the Lomaum dam is made.
“Production is not the most desirable, but we have been distributing it punctually to a very small number of consumers. It is one of the handicaps for the development of the municipality”, she admits.
The administrator has no doubts that energy generates development, because it helps attract more investments and, consequently, the installation of more service provision companies.
And the question is: “How will he provide services at home if the energy condition is not good?”.
Without energy, José Ferreira warns that it will be difficult to attract investors, for example, for the installation of a bakery.
He referred that the Executive is already aware of this and the provincial governor of Benguela, Luís Nunes, announced the construction of the transport line for Cubal and Ganda, covering Caimbambo.
He warns that one cannot speak of economic diversification if we do not invest in the energy sector.
“I need up to a megawatt… I’m already including the productive sector. We have the agriculture sector practically paralyzed here in our municipality”, she advances.
With energy from Lomaum and perhaps from other sources such as Laúca and Cambambe, including the photovoltaic power stations at Biópio and Baía Farta, as Caimbambo will be connected to the national grid, it will be possible to change the current scenario and satisfy demand.
That is why José Ferreira is optimistic that the winds of progress – which are already beginning to blow in Benguela province – will not go unnoticed by the residents of Caimbambo.
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