Illegal connection costly: PPL

By DALE LUMA
IILLEGAL power connections is becoming a significant issue for PNG Power Limited, says managing director Flagon Bekker.
He told The National that authorities were currently investigating a number of cases.
“Theft is an issue that affects us all here in the country as the electricity belongs to all the people,” Bekker said.
“When theft occurs, it only pushes up the costs for everyone.”
Bekker, who recently took up the position, said “significant revenue” was lost because of illegal power connections around the country.
“We have cases under investigation by the authorities and they are occurring around the country and in many suburbs,” he said.
He said PNG Power would improve on timely updates “on our progress or the status during outage events”.
“While our focus is on restoration activities, we will endeavor to provide more timely updates during the event around the estimated return of service and associated key developments,” he said.
“PNG Power remains fully committed to the programmes supported by all our valued partners.
“In this, too, we intend to work to provide updates more often on progress on these key projects in the future. In addition, we will leave no stone unturned to deliver on the initiatives and projects.”
Bekker said PNG Power remains open to engage and partner with any organisation that supported an accelerated improvement in their performance across all indicators and not just the delivery of projects.