Residents in Karen State without electricity are getting anxious after waiting for late solar panels to be delivered as part of the National Electrification Plan (NEP).
Over 1,800 households from 29 villages in Kyain Seikgyi Township paid two instalments to the Myanmar Economic Bank to receive the panels as part of the NEP--a joint effort between the World Bank and government agency the Department of Rural Development.
Nan A Nai Phaw, from Htee Phoe Nine Village, wonders if she will ever get her solar panels that were supposed to be installed in May.
“Now, its August...We have been waiting for them for a long time now. Have we been swindled for our money?”
As part of the deal, villagers are required to make three small payments towards the price of the panels with the other parties covering the majority of the costs.
Saw Aung Moe Myint, an officer from Kyain Seikgyi Township Department of Rural Development, explained that the reason they are so late is they are trying to ensure that they come with a five year warranty. He explained that in the past panels that were bought from local companies were of poor quality. Now they are looking at the portfolios of companies from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Germany to make sure they get better products.
“Over 60 international companies have become involved in this joint system with the World Bank. The companies are still being scrutinised. We are doing our best to provide good quality solar panels to the public. We will be able to install them in the villages in December.”
With financial assistance from the World Bank, the NEP has been providing off the grid electricity to remote villages since 2014.
Reporting by Saw Myat Oo Thar for KIC News
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
