Arrears and communication breakdown caused blackouts

By Rebecca Kuku
A BREAKDOWN in communication and arrears have led to recent blackouts in East Sepik, Western, Tari in Hela and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, acting PNG Power Ltd managing director Carolyn Blacklock says.
Blacklock told The National that the blackouts were caused by lack of fuel supply as payments were not made on time to the local fuel suppliers.
“Due to payments not being made on time, there has been a shortage of fuel so we are rationing the fuel that we have left and that is why there have been constant blackouts in those centres.
“It’s partly to do with the operating officers not informing the finance team on time to do the necessary payment for fuel to be supplied and also due to a lot of arrears that
PNG Power has from outstanding bills.
“These are tough economic times and fuel prices have also increased so when we are not making revenue then we are also not able to pay for the fuel, so you could say the tough economic times are also taking their toll on PNG Power.”
Blacklock said that normal power supply would be restored by this week once payments were made to the fuel suppliers.