Felled tree causes power outage to Highlands towns

 A TREE that fell on power lines last Tuesday caused disruptions to electricity supply of the highland provinces, PNG Power Ltd says.

Businesses and residents in Mt Hagen, Minj and Banz have reported loss in business and damage to refrigerated stock because of the power cut.

Company linesmen from Yonkiwere accompanied by police officers to travel to the affected areas to fix the problem, a statement said.

The tree, which was chopped down, fell on the power lines, cutting off supply from 8pm last Tuesday. 

Company workers went to the area between Chuave and Kundiawa to restore power supply.

A company statement said load shedding was in place, with power supplemented through the Pauanda Power Station.

“We hope to sort out the situation and bring back normal power supply into Mt Hagen, Minj and Banz,” the statement said.

A PNG Power Ltd source urged people living close to power lines to stop vandalising the poles and company property.

Bakeries, fast food outlets and supermarkets were forced to close because of the power supply disruption.

Jua Jeua Trading owner Andrew Bund said PNG Power should have informed them of any power cuts so that they look for generators.

“The blackout forced us to send away workers because we did not make money to pay them,” he said.

Pilimbo Purre, owner of Waghi Bakery, said he had made a big loss and was forced to send home casual staff.

Feng Hua trading assistant manager Paul Poro said they had been facing power supply disruptions for a long time.

In Chimbu, it was reported that a transformer was malfunctioning.