Today was one of the happiest day for the Navala villagers as they now have electricity for the first time.

While commissioning the Navala Grid Extension today in the interior of Ba, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says this will directly power the lives of over 600 people, the Navala Catholic School, and two churches.

Bainimarama says for decades the villagers pleaded for electricity and finally there requests have been fulfilled.

“I know that previously many in your community were relying on diesel generators. I know how stressful that can be. Generators alone can’t shoulder the energy demands of an entire community, they are too unreliable, too unwieldy and they can end up being very expensive. Being on the grid brings an entirely new level of reliability, affordability, and it brings cleaner power that is much less harmful to our natural environment and the air we breathe.”

The Prime Minister says Government has shouldered the entire $650,000 cost of development, sparing the community from any financial contribution.

Meanwhile, Village Headman Abele Ramasei says the school children will greatly benefit as they will no longer have to study using kerosene lanterns.