Bomb halts Puma ops

By DALE LUMA
PUMA Energy PNG Ltd has stopped its operation in Kavieng, New Ireland, due to the discovery of an old bomb near its tank farm, says country manager Hulala Tokome.
The bomb was unearthed during expansion work done by PNG Ports on the Kavieng port.
Tokome told The National when commenting on the situation that “the safety of our people is our number one priority, therefore, we have had to shut down our operation.”
He said PNG Ports was organising the removal of the bomb by experts as it was located next to Puma’s petrol and diesel tanks.
Tokome said because of the temporary shutdown of its operations in the province, there had been no supply to the aviation industry, PNG Power and other customers.
The company’s health, safety, and environment manager for downstream Jah’ Hanta Subam said operations had been closed since Monday.
“Our terminals hold high flammable products,” he said.
“If anything were to happen, the damage would be significant.
“We are not providing fuel to the province now.”
Puma’s Kavieng terminal currently has 10 staff and supplies the aviation industry in the province as well as PNG Power and other customers, including drum customers.
The facility can store up to a million litres of diesel, jet fuel, zoom and petrol. The National did reach out to PNG Ports for comment who agreed to provide a response but did so after the deadline of this publication.