Speaking during a visit to the Luhongo Water Treatment Plant (ETA), Baptista Borges said that, in the area of electricity, attention is focused on expanding the network to the municipalities in the interior of the province, with Cubal in particular.
"With regard to the supply of electricity, the minister highlighted the expansion of the network to the municipalities in the interior as a priority, highlighting Cubal as the first to be intervened", reads a statement from the provincial government of Benguela, to which VerAngola had access.
After Cubal, he added, it will be the turn of the municipalities of Ganda, Caimbambo, Balombo and Bocoio.
"The municipality of Cubal will be an urgent priority, followed by Ganda, Caimbambo and then Balombo and Bocoio. The project also includes the electrification of the peripheral areas of the coastal municipalities, namely Benguela, Lobito, Catumbela and the Navegantes area", said João Baptista Borges, quoted in the note.
According to the minister, "the strategy foresees the use of sustainable technical solutions, such as the use of the Lomaum dam, ensuring that the financing has already been identified and the next steps involve budgetary and administrative adjustments for rapid implementation".
On the occasion, the Minister of Energy and Water also highlighted the Government's commitment "to reinforcing the water and electrical infrastructures" of the aforementioned province.
"We are implementing a plan to stabilize and expand the water supply in a sustainable way. The financing is assured, and work is already underway on the ground with clear goals", assured the minister.
As for the Luhongo WTP, located in Catumbela, the minister revealed that the ongoing work on this infrastructure will enable the supply of water to more than 1,700,000 people.
"The work began at the beginning of this year, has already reached a completion rate of 19 percent and will advance more quickly in the coming months", the minister said, as quoted by Angop.
The governor of Benguela, Manuel Nunes Júnior, highlighted the "importance of water as an essential factor for public health, the well-being of families and the growth of companies".
Quoted in the provincial government's statement, Nunes Júnior said that the project currently has a production capacity of 0.8 cubic meters per second.
"Currently, we have an effective production capacity of 0.8 cubic metres per second, whereas we previously had 1.5 cubic metres/second. With the ongoing investments, we hope to reach one cubic metre/second by the end of this year. In 2026 and 2027, all previous capacity will be restored, with the possibility of an increase", said Manuel Nunes Júnior.
The official stressed that "the project will bring improvements in the supply to the coastal population of the province, benefiting both residential areas and the productive sector".
