Illegal activities drain PPL

The National Main Stories

By DALE LUMA
PNG Power Ltd loses millions of kina every month because of illegal power connections, says acting chief executive officer Douglas Mageo.
Mageo was responding to allegations that some residents in Goroka in Eastern Highlands had been colluding with PNG Power staff to have illegal power connections.
“Electricity theft continues to be a big challenge and concern for PNG Power nationwide as it is a loss in revenue,” he said.
“Illegal connection can be through meter tampering, by-passing of meters, illegal connections from service lines, use of extension from service line or the unauthorised reconnection of power supply after it had been disconnected by PNG Power.
“It is often carried out by unlicenced electricians or unauthorised persons who intend to defraud the company by not paying their bills.”
Mageo said in some cases, illegal connections were carried out by PNG Power staff themselves.
“PNG Power has a zero tolerance policy on illegal connections.
“Any staff involved will be terminated,” he said.
“Illegal connection is also a very dangerous practice because it can cause fire, damage properties and cause loss of lives.”
He said it was also an offence to use power illegally.
“If caught, offenders would be charged to pay the amount owed to PNG Power or be referred to the police for imprisonment for up to 12 months.
“In cases where PNG Power staff were involved, they were terminated and referred to the police for appropriate action.”
Mageo said PNG Power carried out audits of all its customers’ premises every year.

4 comments

  • Most illegal connections are done by PNG Power staff using the companies assets and facilities. I suggest two control options.
    1. Install trackers on your vehicles and do audit verification on the job assignments and vehicle movements.
    2. Set up a team to do checkups on all houses and power consumers, to verify their consumer status. Where there is illegal consumers start enforcing your Acts and prosecute them.

    You have been talking much about the issue without any solid actions. It is unfair on the genuine customers when you are not doing enough to protect your interest and the consumers’ interest too.

  • Talk, talk and talk without and action plan to secure your market. Don’t just go to sleep hoping that the problem to disappear tomorrow. Wake up from your slumber! Its unfair to us genuine consumers.

  • Talks about illegal connection is just an excuse by ppl top brass to cover up on their incompetence. Government should open the market for others to compete with ppl to produce and sell power.

  • Please investigate top PPL management, they have deals with Asian business people in the city. Most of them are using free or if not less power to operate while the management benefits from it. This information is from inside.

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