By JAMES KILA
VILLAGE communities, who live on the borders of Goroka and Daulo district in Eastern Highlands province last Wednesday set a new precedent, when they signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to formally allow PNG Power Ltd to work in their area.
Moreover, the MoA, which was rather unique mainly in the highlands region, seals a formal agreement with PNG Power to allow the organisation to carry out a K100,000 electricity supply project work in the area without any disruptions or disturbances by local landowner groups, especially regarding the issue of compensation demands.
Member for Goroka, Thompson Harokaqveh, who was the guest of honour at the ground-breaking ceremony at Notofana village, announced an allocation of K50,000 for the project, while the other half was from the former MP.
The Goroka MP described the arrangement as “historic” because it sets a new precedent for other areas in Goroka district.
“Such MoA arrangement is a good start so should be duplicated to other areas in the Goroka district,” Mr Harokaqveh said.
Villages that would be benefiting from the electricity supply include parts of Iufi Iufa, Notofana, Gamuga to as far as Asaroka Lutheran High School. A population of over 4,000 would benefit from the project.
Representatives from Kofika village also signed the MoA because the second phase of the project would cover villagers in the Kofika areas.
A community spokesman Ikime Gorosahu, described the project as vital because villagers would have power to cook instead of spending money on kerosene and even watch TV in the comfort of their own homes.
Mr Harokaqveh said in order for the project to be undertaken by the Government without any disruptions, local landowners must agree with service providers and government agencies in the form of a MoA to allow work to progress smoothly.
PNG Power manager in Goroka, Henry Pirah, said such an undertaking by the villagers in Goroka district was the first he had witnessed since his time with the company.