WORK on the K80 million Southern Highlands rural electrification project will begin next month.
The project would expected to take about five years to complete.
The first phase was scheduled for completion in June next year which would light up Mendi, Nipa, Margarima, Tari, Komo and Koroba.
The second phase would connect to Lake Kutubu, Lake Kopiago, Pori, Munhiu and Mogol in Mendi, Kandep and Imbonggu.
The final stage would cover the rest of the province, including Pangia, Ialibu, Kagua and Erave.
Hides Joint Venture Ltd, a landowner company, would carry out the work with technical assistance from PNG Power Ltd.
The company’s chairman Philip Undialu said 98% of the surveying work had been done and the first batch of power pylons would be erected soon.
He said the project would utilise the existing PNG Power supply from Yonki hydro into Mendi grid and also upgrade generators and facilities at the mini Dauli hydro-electricity near Tari.
Mr Undialu urged the people not to seek compensation for damages done when PNG Power put up the lines.
He also said that MPs should provide funding from their district development grants for streets lights as the main lines would be supplied by the project.
Mr Undialu said seven containers of insulators, cables and other electrical equipment arrived in Lae wharf from New Zealand and Fiji, waiting transportation to the project sites for constructions to commence next month.
Mr Undialu said for 17 years since Hides was in operation, Hela and Southern Highlands had been in the dark and the project was a milestone.
He urged the people, provincial government, governor Anderson Agiru and the eight MPs from the province to support and embrace the project that will be of significant benefit to everyone.