PNG Power Ltd has received the first payment of K50,000 from Okapa MP to begin construction of transmission and distribution lines and connect the district to the Ramu Grid.
Acting Managing Director, Carolyn Blacklock, received the payment from the Member for Okapa District, Saki Saloma.
This project will be achieved through the Electrification Partnership Project with PNG Power. Blacklock said more than 150,000 lives will benefit from this electrification project.
“Lots and lots of schools, churches and health clinics will benefit from power along the way,” she said.
PNG Power will run transmission lines as well as connecting distribution lines directly into people’s houses.
Saloma said Okapa Station has been without electricity since independence.
“When I took office I felt that having Okapa connected to the grid is very important. I want basic services restored back to Okapa so that public servants can be stationed at Okapa and operate from there so my people can be served,” he said.
The project will take at least three years to complete.
Meanwhile, the District Development Authority has fixed the generators that have not been functioning to restore temporary supply around March this year.
These generators will be supplying power to Okapa Station until the district is connected to Ramu Grid.