Chris Smith: “Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engle, thank you for introducing this important legislation H.R. 2548, the Electrify…”

“Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engle, thank you for introducing this important legislation H.R. 2548, the Electrify Africa Act, which my subcommittee Ranking Member Karen Bass and I have joined you in sponsoring. We acknowledge the importance of this legislation, and we hope our colleagues share our enthusiasm for what this bill can accomplish. Congress' interest in Africa is not only longstanding, but also varied. Some of focus on development, and some are more interested in trade. Others are keen to meet the humanitarian needs of the continent, while still others believe education is the key to Africa's future success. All of those elements are important, but none of them can be accomplished fully without electricity, which is in far too short a supply throughout Africa. In Africa's largest cities, there are plenty of lights, and in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Dakar, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Lusaka the modern way of life is thriving--day or night. Unfortunately, in many other cities, electricity is fleeting, and in too many rural areas it is simply scarce. Generators provide the power by which many companies are forced to do business, and in many homes, generators are needed to ensure that modern activities can continue when the government-provided power flickers out.…”