Illegal power connections rife in WHP, says PPL rep

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday 08th Febuary 2012

WESTERN Highlands has the highest number of illegal power connections in the country, a PNG Power Ltd official said.
Acting branch manager Raphael Billy revealed this last Saturday at Kelua village outside Mt Hagen, during the official opening of a self-help power project and Kopgom Community Development Association.
Billy told a big crowd, including Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma, that power was a service that would help change the living standard and make life easier for people.
He said illegal connections from Easipay meters in the province were very high when compared to other provinces.
He told the people they must pay to get power.
“There is no such thing as free service,” Billy said.
The money they would pay would help the company keep supplying power.
Billy urged people not to expect others to pay while they got free power, adding that making illegal connections was a criminal offence and anyone found making an illegal connection would be arrested and charged.
He also said there was also a danger in trying to make an illegal connection if you were inexperienced. Six people were electrocuted last year while attempting to connect power.
He commended Jika Undapu for their initiative in connecting electricity into their village.
He appealed to their leaders to look out for their people making illegal connections and report any to PNG Power Ltd.
“I see that you people are hungry for power and PNG Power will connect big lines into your area,” Billy said.
He said such service and other developments such as good roads would help change their lives.
He warned the people that bad habits such as vandalising public property would be a setback.
Bank South Pacific branch manager in Porgera John Basanu, who initiated the formation of the association and the project told the people the project came into their village as a result of their personal contributions.
Basanu told the people the association would further connect the power lines into neighbouring villages who made a contribution but did not have power.
He told the people to engage licensed electricians to do the wiring in their houses before connecting power.