Government’s solution to blackouts a cost to nation

 THE government’s efforts in addressing the constant power blackouts in our cities and towns lack direction and are costing this nation more than we can afford. 

The opposition leader’s comments and appeal to MPs and the public to have proper procurement processes were not adhered to when awarding the contract and making a K50 million-payment to a company in a faraway nation on the other side of the globe. 

I am baffled when the government still insists that all is in order. 

My simple questions to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his PNG Power advisers are as follows:

l Why go to Israel when Australia or New Zealand can provide these gen sets? 

l Who will pay for the shipping, handling and installation costs? 

l Does PNG Power have the capacity to maintain these expensive machines? 

l Is the government considering similar gen sets for Lae, Mt Hagen, Kundiawa, Goroka, Madang and others? 

Other centres have high level of business activities, but have very unreliable electricity supply, costing both the public and private companies. 

Belden Namah may be the only voice in parliament echoing these facts, but the people are not deaf and surely not stupid. 

I do not believe that Israel is the answer to all our national problems. 

The problems are within our politicians, leaders and  senior public servants. 

Dr Michael Dokup

Kundiawa