After 5 years of being in darkness, Imbonggu is getting power

POWER will be restored in Southern Highlands’ Imbonggu after being in the dark for five years. Work to lay 25km of power cables, from Walume to Kirene, started eight months ago after the provincial government completed a K6 million payment to a contractor. “Power was cut off following a misunderstanding between PNG Power Ltd (PPL) and power poles and lines were vandalised some five years ago,” Governor William Powi said. The power cut affected 12 council wards, churches, schools and businesses in Imbonggu. “The Southern Highlands provincial government in consultation with the Ialibu Basin, Imbongu local level government assessed the costs and raised slightly more than K6 million.
“Of the K6 million paid, K3 million was given by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd as assistance to the provincial government paying another K3 million,” Powi said. He said work on the power project was now done by the contractor and supervision by PPL with work on 15 kilometers already completed. Tagali Contractors Ltd managing director Dickson Olabe said the company had been able to deliver the project very well with the support of the communities and provincial government. Olabe said work has been ongoing for more than eight months with pole construction already completed. “Previously it was wood but we replaced that with steel,” Olabe said. “For Power line HV and LV cables, we have completed 15km and it can be powered up anytime with two transformers. PNG power teams are supervising us.”
Powi said apart from the power project, K1.7 million had been given by the provincial government for the Mendi court house judge’s residence.