By JULIA DAIA BORE and JOSHUA ARLO
POWER black-out continued into its second day yesterday in the nation’s capital, prompting Government officials to appeal to the energy workers to return to work.
But union leaders and their members continue to demand the removal of PPL CEO Patrick Mara before they return to work and power is reconnected.
Although it was business as usual in the city, power supply had to be privately supplied by the business houses themselves.
Privately owned Kanudi power station was the only source of power operating to its full capacity of 24MW and Moitaka power station was supplying only 4MW, PNG Power said.
Mr Mara said power supply from the Kanudi and Moitaka was being utilised to maintain essential services such as the hospital, Eda Ranu water treatment plants, the Correctional Services, the airport and some parts of the NCD.
Meanwhile, the National Court hearing scheduled for yesterday was deferred to tomorrow, with the striking workers defiant of a restraining order issued last Friday staying them from withdrawing labour and switching off the power to its users.
Union leaders said yesterday they were adamant that Mr Mara “must go” for normalcy to return and for the workers to return to work.
Trade Union Congress general secretary John Paska and Public Employees Association (PEA) president Michael Malabag yesterday joined the call for the ‘sacking” of Mr Mara.
Both union leaders have, however, blamed the PPL Board headed by Sari Mr Maso for the current situation and have called on the government to sack the board.
Meanwhile, the general consensus among the striking energy workers is that if need be, they would resign enmasse should the PPL board and the Government refuse to remove Mr Mara.
There are indications that the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare may step in to diffuse the stand-off.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat, Minister for Public Enterprise Arthur Somare, Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Mark Maipakai, Labour Department’s industrial registrar Helen Saleau, Mr Mara, PPL board chairman Maso and two other Labour Department senior officers went on air last night appealing to the workers to return to work.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki, at his press conference yesterday, also urged the striking energy workers to return to work.