Vanimo electricity question leads to laughter in Parliament

Parliament broke out in laughter as two Members from Sandaun Province got on each other’s nerves in this morning’s session.

Sandaun Governor Amkat Mai questioned State Enterprise Minister William Duma if the state-owned PNG Power could connect Wutung to the Vanimo electricity grid.

Mai said the provincial government has already spent K1.2 million to purchase a diesel generator from Indonesia. However, it needs K8 million to connect the transmission lines to the country’s international border with the West Papua Province of Indonesia.

Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah was heard telling his provincial governor to allocate money to fund the project.  

Governor Mai then asked Namah to support in funding the project.

“I would like to ask the honourable Member for Vanimo – Green to use his DSIP to also help PNG Power,” Mai said, as the house broke into laughter.  

Parliament speaker Theo Zurenuoc intervened with a smile and cautioned the Governor: “You cannot direct your question to two separate persons”.

Minister Duma, in response, said: “The delay is because the former Minister (predecessor) entered into an arrangement with a supplier from across the border (West Papua) to produce and supply power to Sandaun.

“Which in my opinion, when I assumed this ministry, thought it’s not the way to go because we already have our own power company.  

“We have been waiting for the good governor and my predecessor to tell us whether the arrangement they entered into will go ahead or not; if not then PNG Power stands ready to come in. 

“Because we do not want to dishonour the past agreement,” Duma said.

Author: 
Charles Yapumi