DUSHANBE, October 4, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The government has allocated more than 850 million somoni this year for construction of energy facilities, President Emomali Rahmon announced at a meeting with population in the settlement of Vahdat, administrative center of the Jirgatol district on October 3, according to presidential press service.  

“We are striving for achieving energy independence in the coming years and address the communication deadlock challenges by the end of next year,” the president said.  

            According to him, 120 small power plants have been built in the country over the years of independence and more than 50 other small power plants are expected to be introduced into operation in the coming years.  

            “Over the past several years, two small power plants with a total capacity of 267 kW have been constructed in Jirgatol and construction of the Pitavkul-2 hydroelectric power plant with capacity of 1.1 megawatt is under way,” Rahmon said, noting that four other power plants with a total capacity of 8 megawatt will be constructed in the district in the near future. 

            Addressing the meeting, the president also touched upon issues related to food security, provision of the population with coal during the winter months, and development of small-sized entrepreneurship in Jirgatol.  

Today, President Rahmon visited the Tavildara.   

He was on working trip to the Rasht Valley from October 2 to October 4 to get acquainted with socioeconomic situation in the region.