Multi-million Kina funding package to stop blackouts

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Multi-million Kina funding package to stop blackouts

PORT MORESBY: The Government is preparing a multi-million Kina funding package to help PNG Power Limited address the power blackouts affecting families and businesses, State Enterprises Minister William Duma says.

"I am very concerned with the disruptions caused to businesses and families by the recent blackouts in the Port Moresby grid,” he said.

“The Government is injecting funds to help PNG Power address the grid’s reliability which has been stressed by the recent rainy weather and occasional insufficient generation capacity,” he added.

Read on for more details as reported by The National:

Power rescue plan

November 19, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By GYNNIE KERO
THE Government is preparing a multi-million kina funding package to help PNG Power Limited address the power blackouts affecting families and businesses, says State Enterprises Minister William Duma.
“I am very concerned at the disruption caused to businesses and families by the recent blackouts in the Port Moresby grid,” he said.
“The Government is injecting funds to assist PNG Power address the grid’s reliability, which has been stressed by the recent rainy weather and occasional insufficient generation capacity.”
PNG Power Ltd executive general manager for retail Kingston Albert blamed the power blackouts on the load-shedding by independent power supplier Niupower Ltd because of “outstanding payments”.
“Rightfully, they have to load shed because we are not paying them,” Albert said.
Duma did not say how much funding was involved but said it would come from the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH).
He has instructed KCH to accelerate a rescue package including a team of professionals to work with PNG Power in resolving financial and accounting issues, and strengthen its cash flow.
“The rescue package will be used to accelerate the maintenance of high-priority transmission and substation infrastructure in Port Moresby grid locations to increase stability,” Duma said.
Duma also said the Government was aware of debts it owed service providers.
“The State debts is not news to me. KCH is progressing SOE reforms which includes resolving and managing current debt.”
To improve PNG Power’s revenue collection, Duma said its acting chief executive officer was conducting an exercise to deal with the rate defaulters, “and where required this may result in disconnections”.
He said PNG Power was also addressing the theft of power by individuals and businesses.
Duma said PNG Power was finalising a 15-year energy master plan which would improve the reliability of its grids nationwide.
The plan involves financial support from donor countries who committed to assist PNG during the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ Summit.
He has also instructed the KCH rescue team “to develop a better communication strategy so the public can be advised about outages and planned outages.
“KCH will work with PPL and Telikom to ensure efficient communications.”
PNG Power chairman Moses Maladina said: “PNG Power comprises hardworking dedicated and experienced staff. Some have committed a substantial proportion of their careers to the company.
“Only a few people working with unscrupulous individuals outside the company are involved in illegal activities. We want to restore the pride in the company, through the transformation plan.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more