PNG Power Ltd (PPL)

PNG Power Bod ov Dairekta i holim wanpela spesel miting long Oges 30^th long makim Ekting Sif Ekseketiv Opisa bihain long Carolyn Blacklock i tokaut long lusim wok bilong en.

Bod Siaman Peter Nupiri i tok tenk yu long gutpela wok bilong Blacklock wantaim PNG Power insait long 18 mun em i bin wok na i tok moa olsem em i save long wanem as Blacklock i mekim disisen long risain.

Bod i tok tenk yu long Blacklock long gutpela wok bilong en long stretim ol hevi na kamapim Rifom Asenda bilong PNG Power, wantaim Plen bilong Pawa i we i gat liklik kost.

PNG Power Board of Directors held a special meeting on August 30^th to formally put in place an Acting Chief Executive Officer following the announcement by Carolyn Blacklock to step down as the acting Managing Director of PNG Power.

In a statement, Board Chairman Peter Nupiri acknowledged Blacklock’s invaluable contribution to PNG Power over the past 18 months, saying he understood the circumstances leading to her decision to step down and accepted her resignation.

PNG Power Ltd (PPL) acting CEO, Alex Oa, says the projects for Kavieng in New Ireland Province and Alotau, Milne Bay Province, have been stalled while the land issue is addressed.

The Asian Development Bank-supported project aims to harness solar generated power for use in the districts.

Oa said while those are pending, they have received interest from the East New Britain Province for a similar project.

Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning & Monitoring, on behalf of the Government today gave the funds.

This effort by the Government complements the K45 million investment by the National Airports Corporation in upgrading Girua Airport in the Northern Province.

This support is to make Girua, which is the only airport in the country with no power connection to the PNG Power grid, to see the light of day.

The government is funding the 15 kilometre powerline from Popondetta to Girua Airport to the tune of K3.5 million.

A total of 991 successful applicants around the country sat for their entry tests in the different trades of electrical fitter, diesel mechanic, machine fitter machinist, lines, power station operator, meter technician and electrical inspector. Applicants in other centres did their tests at the respective PPL offices.

At the PPL Training College at Hohola, Port Moresby, 531 young men and women turned up early this morning to do their tests with the hope to join the workforce sometimes in the future.

In a statement, PPL said: “This conversion gives Manus customers full purchasing power and puts an end to credit meter billing issues many customers have faced for decades.

“The Easipay conversion project in Manus began on 19 September and PPL will ensure all customers are converted to Easipay.”

As of 28 September, 90 customers have been converted and now have Easipay meters installed in their homes, reveals PPL.

“Manus have nearly 1,295 customers and PPL is looking at installing Easipay meters for all.

As part of its community service obligation in supporting human resource development in PNG, PPL presented the cheque to IIA board secretary, Ms Polin Mae, at the PPL National Office last week.

“I’d like to thank PNG Power Ltd for coming to our aid at a time when PNG is going through some struggles financially,” Mae said.

“We’re very happy that you are able to sponsor us so we could have a fruitful conference this year.”