Games guaranteed lights for venues

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE country’s only electricity provider, PNG Power Limited will provide K6.5 million worth of free power to all Pacific Games venues for the duration of the event next year.

The utilities company was named as a platinum sponsor by the Games Organising Committee last week. PNG Power chief executive officer John Tangit said the 2015 Games was a major regional event and PNG Power was proud to be part of the game by giving something back.  

“PPL has agreed to provide PNG 2015 Games value in kind sponsorship for a total value of not exceeding K6.5 million,” Tangit, pictured,said.

“The sponsorship comprises the electricity connection to infrastructure, electricity lines to central points at games venues, stand-by generators, operational support for operating and maintaining the generators and other infrastructure during the games.”.

The venues that would be covered under this arrangement are the 2015 Pacific Games Village at UPNG, Taurama Aquatic centre, Sir John Guise indoor stadium, Sir John Guise main stadium, Rita Flynn indoor netball courts and the Bisini Parade sports centre. Tangit said that PPL would set up all infrastructure and equipment at its own cost on or before March next year and all sites would be fully connected to power sources and operational by June, 2015.

Games Organising Committee CEO Peter Stewart said they were pleased to have, PNG Powers, as third state-owned entity to join the group of sponsors who had come on board to support the Games.

He said while the state had allocated substantial funds for the 2015 Games, much of it was for infrastructure development and therefore the sponsorship from PNG Power was crucial.

“We (GOC) appreciates that the National Government is doing all it can to ensure power outage problems in Port Moresby are resolved as the event will rely heavily on PNG Power and its supply of electricity, especially for many events that are scheduled for the evening. Given the high-tech nature of modern games, constant and effective power supply is a most,” Stewart said.

Stewart also urged PPL to work with the National Capital District Commission to light up the city as thousands including foreigners would converge on the city and security, especially at night time was a priority.