Construction ‘illegal’

THE construction of any infrastructure under or around a power pole is prohibited, according to PNG Power Ltd.
Acting chief executive officer Douglas Mageo was responding to the picture published in this newspaper last Wednesday of a home in a Port Moresby suburb built around a power pole.
He issued a 14-day notice to the owner of the property to move the home away from the power pole.
“This is for the safety of the general public and individuals or any infrastructure,” he said.
“There is a high risk of safety where humans can be electrocuted and the property can be damaged.
“All utility easement points should always be clear from any building. (This) is an outright breach of safety.
“If the infrastructure is not removed, we will work with relevant authorities to have it removed.”
Mageo said PNG Power had started an exercise with the National Capital District Commission last month to remove any infrastructure built under the transmission and distribution lines. “We will continue to do surveys around the city to ensure that there are no properties built directly under the transmission and distribution lines,” he said.
“It is an ongoing activity and we will continue to make public awareness on this.”
Mageo urged the people to report to PNG Power any such buildings.