Deal to light up Jiwaka

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

PEOPLE in North Waghi district in Jiwaka will now have electricity connected to their homes after an agreement was signed between the district and PNG Power for an  electrification programme.

It was signed by PNG Power chief executive officer John Tangit and North Waghi MP and Defence Minister  Fabian Pok, representing the joint district planning and budget priorities committee, in Port Moresby yesterday.

 North Waghi will provide funding for the project and PNG Power the technical support in terms of engineering, and advice and supervisory roles.

Pok said his joint district budget priority and planning committee allocated K5 million in the 2013 budget for  rural electrification programme and would continue to fund it in this year’s budget to fully cover the district and continue for the next four years.

The project will start in about two weeks and is expected to be completed by next year.

Tangit said PNG Power aimed to embrace the government’s visions to improve the lives of the people. He said through the partnership, PNG Power would provide electricity services.

He said his organisation aimed to make sure that  material met standard specifications.

He said PNG Power’s challenge was to provide rural electrification to as many places as possible. 

Pok appealed to people to accept that such projects took time considering the procument processes.