Owers’ corner lit up by PPL

Villages along Bisiatabu to Owers’ Corner, the foot of the famous Kokoda track in the Koiari area, have been lit up.

A K2.6 million project by the New Zealand government saw the launch of the power line extension project at Vesulogo village yesterday.

Construction started on the rural on grid extension project in April last year in the Koiari area.

The 22 kilovolts powerline extension covers 12.8km, connecting more than 200 homes.

An exercise that would have cost more than K1,000 per household to connect power; for those along the Bisiatabu to Owers’ Corner, the connection is free of charge.

New Zealand government’s development councillor Cathlyn Pearce urged the people to take ownership of the assets and make the most of it.

She also cautioned parents to look after their children from electricity now that it is connected to their homes.

PNG Power Ltd will also continue to carry out safety awareness to the communities.

PPL Managing Director, Caroline Blacklock, said they were happy to deliver the project as they encountered no opposition from locals regarding land issues.

Each house was fitted with a meter box and two LED lights to make it easy for the villagers.

A similar project is currently underway from Bautama to Kwikila and eventually, will go to Hula.

Part three of the project is under way from Laloki to Brown River.

Governor for Central Robert Agarobe wants to see it continue to the Kairuku area.

“I’m hoping and praying that the New Zealand government will see the need to empower people and run it all the way to Bereina.

“I’d love to see electricity go all the way down to Bereina because Bereina can become a good agriculture hub,” Agarobe said.

(From left: Cathlyn Pearce, Governor Robert Agarobe and PPL Managing Director, Caroline Blacklock)

Author: 
Sally Pokiton