Electricity to homes cut as PNG Power clamps down on illegal users

 FIFTY homes belonging to pastors, public servants and community leaders at Ramba Road in Hagen Central, Western Highlands, had their power supply disconnected last week.

PNG Power Ltd carried out the disconnection exercise on illegal connections starting from Warakum to Kalina village.

PNG Power Ltd centre manager in Mt Hagen, Pulman Tirang said yesterday that prominent people who were supposed to lead by example were involved in illegal connections.

Tirang said many of them had been using power for free for two years without paying any bills.

He said PNG Power was losing between K50,000 and  K60,000 monthly in the province through illegal connections.

He said out of the 9,000 clients in the province, 25% did not pay their bills and use power for free through illegal connections.

“We have set up a meter survey team to travel around the province and disconnect illegal connections,” Tirang said.

He said the company was providing a vital service and people must be honest and pay their bills. 

“There is nothing free, the people must pay for service to help PNG Power continue providing the vital service,” he said.

He said penalty fees would be applied if they wanted to re-connect power supplies to their homes.

Meanwhile, Tirang urged the people to approach his office if they wanted to connect power to their homes.

“Stop engaging the so-called bush electricians because they don’t know how to do proper wiring and will put your lives at great risk,” he warned.