IN an effort to ascertain the status of the US$2.2 million Kato Hydropower project, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, engaged representatives of the contracted firm, B&J Civil Works.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the 150kw project is ongoing along the Chiung River, Region Eight.

The Prime Minister and Minister Indar, during the engagement, stressed the need for the project to advance further, noting that it will provide hundreds of residents within Kato and surrounding communities with a clean and reliable source of energy.

It was reported that the contract for the project was signed by authorities in 2019 and was expected to run for a period of 18 months with a 12-month defects and liability period after its completion.

As reported by the News Room, the objective of the project is to provide the remote hinterland community of Kato inclusive of the government facilities and the Kato Secondary School with a relatively cheap and reliable source of power.

“It is imperative to note that homes that are located within the proximity of the distribution grid is expected to receive power in the initial stage of the project. Additionally, at the school, electricity will be available in the evening for the kids to read, write and study,” authorities had said.

The power will be available during the day at the school to facilitate the use of power tools and equipment for the technical and vocational training. The energy source will also be used for the pumping of water to ensure proper sanitation in the dormitory facilities.