Landowners welcome Naoro-Brown River project
The National, Tuesday 4th June 2013
By MALUM NALU
LANDOWNERS of the K20.93 million Naoro-Brown River hydro-power project in Central have welcomed the development.
The project, funded by the World Bank and PNG government, will provide technical assistance to support the government’s goal of increasing electricity access from 10% today – one of the lowest electrification rates in the world – to 70% by 2030.
Landowner consultant Kenny Abau, from Manumu village at the head of the Brown River, said he had been working closely with PNG Power Ltd (PNGPPL) in initiating this project.
“In economic terms, the Naoro-Brown River hydro project, at its full completion, would inject lots of other economic spin-off benefits for the rural communities as well as produce revenue for PNG Power, its partnering investors in this project, and the government of PNG,” he said.
“The project would boost development growth in the area.
“I want to encourage all landowner communities to put aside their issues and remain focused as a community, to protect and safeguard this project.”
The World Bank will provide K18.55 million, while the PNG government will inject counterpart funding of K2.3 million for the project, which was signed last Wednesday by World Bank country manager Laura Bailey, Treasurer Don Polye, and PNGPPL acting chief executive officer John Tangit.