Deal signed for rural power project

 AN agreement for the rural electrification programme signed last Friday in Port Moresby between a solar company and five MPs will see rural households in their electorates benefit from solar lighting.

The deal was made between Solar Solutions PNG and the MPs — Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and Middle Ramu MP Tommy Tomscoll, Kandrian-Gloucester MP Joseph Lelang, Minister of National Planning and Monitoring Charles Abel, Yangoru-Saussia’sRichard Maru and Speaker of Parliament and  Finschhafen MP Theo Zurenuoc

Tomscoll said energy was the biggest issue in rural PNG. “Energy drive productivity and energy is the primary engine for change,’’ Tomscoll said.

He said that solar energy was cost efficient in  and would  increase productivity time, enhance education and health care opportunities for people. 

Tomscoll said in most rural electorates, people had no night life because there was no light to socialise or work after dark and people went to bed. 

“Light in the  rural households brings evening to the people, to the life of the family and community as a whole and it gives them the chance to lift out of poverty as it increase production and boost children’s education, health and agriculture activities,” Tomscoll said.

‘‘There is light for the children to study during the night, light for families to take care of themselves and agriculture farmers’ productivity will increase.

“Energy increases productivity time.”

Speaker of the Parliament Zurenuoc said there was a need for power in rural electorates.

He said with the launching of the agreement with Solar Solutions, it would be the leaders’ responsibility to see that their people received the best kind of products  to protect them against shrewd people who would see that as an opportunity to mislead them. 

Solar Solutions is the PNG and Solomon Islands agent for Barefoot Power. 

Solar Solutions PNG has been operating for three years and has a number of products suitable for rural electrification schemes that engage the partnership of public, private organisations and individuals.